http://www.y2ktoday.com/modules/home/default.asp?id=1541

Iran: International Assistance Needed to Solve Y2K 6/2/99 Author: IRNA News Agency

Tehran, 30th May: Iran, in order to resolve the millennium computer problem, will use international assistance, said the director-general of informatics industry research company, Ali Asgar Sajudi here Sunday [30th May].

He told reporters: "Over 1,000bn dollars will be the cost associated with conversion of date from two to four digits in computers in the world, but there is no study of the precise cost in Iran."

Sajudi further added that it is estimated that 90 per cent of the millennium computer problem in the country concerns computers which use ICs (integrated circuits) and timed-chips.

He also said that Supreme Informatics Council is the body responsible for information dissemination and coordination of special programs on the issue.

Cautioning that the problem is serious, Sajudi stated the more sensitive parts of the adjustment process which needs foreign assistance has to be thoroughly planned and managed.

On the subject of domestic capabilities of manufacturing computers he added: "Iran needs about 150,000 computer units annually and the total parts that can be produced domestically is equivalent to 50 per cent of the value of a personal computer."

He said that 70 companies are officially authorized to assemble parts in the country, but there is no exact figures on companies that are operating without a licence.

The official reiterated that standards designation for domestically-manufactured computers is the new policy and said: "This phase of quality control allows consumers to make better judgments on purchase of computers and its parts."

Item supplied by BBC Monitoring

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), June 03, 1999

Answers

Let the wogs implode.

-- A (A@AisA.com), June 03, 1999.

Damned Iranians. Screw 'em. Maybe their latest batch of Ayatollahs can save them.

-- IMHO (theycan@bite.me), June 03, 1999.

Rock the casbah!

-- the clash (thinks its not @ kosher.com), June 03, 1999.

Americans give Americans a bad Image. Screw bad leaders but to condemn the population is childish. Give me a reason to respect you slammers. Violence begets violence. Slammers will get slammed!

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), June 03, 1999.

Feller is right! Iranians have been just as "brain dead" about THIER leader as Americans have been about THEIRS. OUR leader probably has the check in the mail!

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 04, 1999.

Clash,

LOL

Will,

After he checks the polls of course.

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@hotmail.com), June 04, 1999.