http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntl92213.htm Volume 4, issue #10 - Friday, May 28, 1999

Y2K efforts by some Latin governments

20-04-99 BRAZIL: Latin America's most populous nation, with 166 mm people, is among world's 10 most computerised countries, yet the government expects to spend just $ 300 mm on Y2K projects, one-third of that this year. Marcos Osorio, national Y2K co-ordinator, says fixes at most federal agencies are well along, with June 30 deadline for finishing, but pension and health system lagging. Also worrisome are state and municipal governments, which Osorio says have provided little information on Y2K efforts; they are responsible for water and natural gas deliveries and citizen registration.

CHILE: Technologically advanced nation of 14 mm people where industry and utilities heavily privatised. Government has spent $ 140 mm on Y2K fixes, and national Y2K co-ordinator Aldo Signorelli says private sector has spent $ 860 mm. As of the end of January, Signorelli says fixes were 39 % complete in electrical utilities, 58 % in telecommunications, 43 % in natural gas and petroleum.

COLOMBIA: Mired in perhaps worst recession since 1930s, country of 40 mm seriously short of funds to address Y2K bug. Government's Year 2000 council predicts low risk of Y2K-related failures in financial sector, telecommunications and electricity generation, but sees high risk in public finance, health services, air and maritime transport. Council says it lacks adequate information about status of Y2K work on public services in all major cities. Telecommunications companies have budgeted only half the $ 400 mm they need for fixes, officials say.

COSTA RICA: Government of this peaceful Central American tourist destination, with 3.5 mm people, has spent more than $ 40 mm on Y2K fixes, national co-ordinator Esteban Brenes says. Without offering specifics, he says most government agencies have determined problem areas and begun fixes. But few have contingency plans for computer failures. Director of Intel's microprocessor plant in San Jose, Danilo Arias, thinks state-owned electric and phone companies making good progress, but fears Juan Santamaria international airport behind.

PERU: Financial companies in this country of 24 mm people expect to have Y2K projects finished soon, but government agencies are lagging, with just 16 % of potential problem areas fixed, says Felix Murillo, national Y2K co-ordinator. Only 9 % of state agencies have contingency plans for computer failures. National Statistics Institute, which Murillo heads, has spent $ 300,000 on Y2K fixes, but has no figures on total government expenditure.

VENEZUELA: Its oil-based economy suffering from decline in petroleum prices, this country of 23 mm expects serious Y2K-related failures. Government planners have given up on trying to fix many computer systems and intend to have 15,000 engineers at the ready on Jan. 1, 2000 _ along with National Guard and army _ to resolve problems as they arise and keep order, says Alejandro Bermudez, deputy national Y2K co-ordinator. Most private companies also way behind schedule, having completed about 10 % - 20 % of work on Year 2000 problems, Bermudez says.

Source: AP via Newspage

-- (fake@out.com), June 09, 1999

Answers

fake, can't you see???

You're using OLD DATA! May 28? Give me a break! That was almost two weeks ago! Geesh.

And...those are just statistics from the government. They don't know what the hell they're talking about. For all you know, they may be almost finished.

And SO WHAT if Central and South America are toast... what good are they? We don't get anything essential from those useless eaters anyway.

fake, I for one am tired of your LIES, DISTORTIONS and HALF TRUTHS. Now get a life and keep putting your 401k dollars into the stock machine, er slot marke...ah, stock market.

[SARCASM OFF]

-- a (a@a.a), June 09, 1999.

"We don't get anything from those countries anyway" ???????? Is Rip van Winkle your brother ?

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), June 10, 1999.

Oh.I forgot the essential goods bit. Agree with your comments about late posting,though, a

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), June 10, 1999.