Developing countries wait until last minute to deal with Y2K problem

By KRISTA FLEDDERMAN
Collegian Staff Writer

In countries like Honduras and Brazil, where government officials are dealing with the recent aftermath of a hurricane and finding food for citizens, respectively, there is almost no time to worry about the Y2K problem.

"Unfortunately, the countries with the most economic and political problems are not dealing with the Y2K problem," said Del Ruiz, Viasoft manager for Latin America. "I think (developing countries) have the knowledge, not the technology, to solve the problem."

Developing countries could be inundated with problems such as payroll delays or a loss of power if the problem is not corrected, Ruiz said.

Companies such as AT&T would like to see potentially large problems, such as system failures and service disruptions, avoided. AT&T will need to be ready for those situations, said Burke Stinson, AT&T spokesperson.

"(AT&T has) asked several thousand employees that work on the network not to go on vacation," Stinson said, so the company will have more staff available to address problems as they arise.

Many countries are waiting until the last minute to worry about the potential computer problem, a wait that could lead to further complications, Stinson said. If problems are not addressed before they arrive, they have the potential to slow operations for the beginning of 2000. For the Mexican government, for example, it is probable money will not be spent before 2000 to prevent the problem, he added.

"They are just hoping things will go right," he said.

The direct relationship between average incomes and abilities to deal with the possible computer disaster are contributing to the problems in developing countries, Penn State political science professor Erik Gartzke said.

However, the limited number of computers lessens the chance for problems in those countries, Gartzke said.

"These countries are not as dependent on computers as the Western societies," he said.

Nevertheless, the potential Y2K problem in developing countries should be watched closely, Ruiz said.

"Those (developing) countries will see the panic as the year 2000 gets closer."