ABC World News Tonight Covers Russia & Y2K (Peter Jennings)

Lest we forget the rest of the worlds Y2K challenges, in focusing on our own. (Note: Peter Jennings chooses what airs on World News Tonight). *Big Sigh* -- Diane

http://www.abcnews.go.com/onair/WorldNewsTonight/wnt990217_russiay2k.html

Russia Bugged by Y2K
Pentagon Sending Team to Help Fend Off Crisis

By James Walker
ABCNEWS.com

W A S H I N G T O N, Feb. 17  The Pentagon is sending a team to Moscow tonight, to help the Russians with a looming Year 2000 computer threat.

The Russians have already said they need billions of dollars to deal with their millennium-bug problem. And the Pentagon mission is focused on seeing that come the turn of the century  the end of this year  there are no dangerous misunderstandings.

We Are Afraid Too

Russia is in continuing economic crisis. In parts of the country, there is no heat. In other areas, people rely on humanitarian aid for food. Soldiers have not been paid.

All of which may help explain why to Russians, the Year 2000 computer bug is just another problem.

The West is right to be afraid, says Alexander Valakitin, Russias Y2K czar. We are afraid too.

Pentagon officials worry that Russias military computer systems could malfunction.

Today in Moscow, Victor Vladimirovich Nelidov, Deputy Head of Communications for the Russian Fleet told ABCNEWS that Y2K is a big concern because, Tests indicate that computers could malfunction, especially in the command and control system for weapons.

But, he added, At least in the Navy, a missile commander can stop a launch.

Software Pirates Stole Bug Too

Intelligence sources say that in the 1980s, the Soviets stole software made in the United States.

What we do know is what theyve taken from the U.S., says Michael Kraig, of the British-American Security Information Council.

Theres a good chance it has the Y2K bug in it.

Kraig studies the impact Y2K could have on the Russian military and says that the biggest worry is what remains unknown: What have they used this pirated software for, these pirated microchips? And will it effect nuclear operations when a Y2K error comes up? No one really knows.

Valakitin has his work cut out for him. The Ministry of Defense has no income. We are trying to find ways to use money from the government reserves to finance the work.

In a recent report to Congress, CIA officials quoted a Russian government committee: There is not enough time or money to fix the Y2K problem. We think the Russians are right.

Cold and Present Danger

The agency warns that the Y2K bug could lead to major humanitarian consequences for the Russian people.

 Computer-controlled systems within power plants could fail.
 Nuclear-powered reactors might shut down.
 Improper power distribution could lead to loss of heat for indefinite periods in the dead of winter.

There are no miracles and our reserves are not very big, says Valakitin. Therefore, anybody who has the ability to find their ownmoney, theyll have to do it themselves.

Very little moneyand very little time left, to avoid a potential military and civilian disaster.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), February 18, 1999

Answers

Good catch Diane!

favorite quote:

"Today in Moscow, Victor Vladimirovich Nelidov, Deputy Head of Communications for the Russian Fleet told ABCNEWS that Y2K is a big concern because, Tests indicate that computers could malfunction, especially in the command and control system for weapons. But, he added, At least in the Navy, a missile commander can stop a launch." "

well, okay, so that leaves only all of their landbased systems to worry about *whew* what a relief???

right now I'm waiting for the pollyannas to claim that ABC News has been taken over by "right wing Christian survivalists"....

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 18, 1999.

"At least in the Navy, a missile commander can stop a launch."

Man, I hope the lock he plugs that key in is Y2K ready! <:(=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 18, 1999.

Diane,

I saw Peter Jennings introduce this story on ABC World News Tonight. I really didn't expect to see this story on the evening news.

And there wasn't even the usual "computers might mistake 2000 for the year 1900" explanation. It got straight to the point.

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), February 18, 1999.

I was surprised to see it too Kevin.

How can the U.S. spin machine put such a "happy Y2K face" on domestic issues then conveniently "overlook" the impact of global Y2K repercussions on the national interests?

Does NOT compute!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), February 18, 1999.

I am sure someone else has already thought of this but...

Everyone is so (suddenly) worried about Russia's y2k problems, yet supposedly they are miles behind US technologically. If this is true, then doesn't it stand to reason that we are going to have a much worse time of y2k? (Even though we can throw a lot more money at it.)

-- Sharon in Texas (sking@drought-ridden.com), February 19, 1999.