Even though the president claims Y2K computer bug problems will be minimal and there is little reason for concern, plans are ready to evacuate State Department employees from foreign countries because of Y2K-related hazards.
At least 800 diplomats and employees will be evacuated from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, at a cost of about $10,000 per person. The number could increase in the weeks ahead, according to State Department documents.
The CIA gave a report to the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem which revealed that at least half of the 161 countries evaluated are not Y2K ready. While disruptions in the U.S. are predicted to be minimal, problems in foreign countries could cause major problems.
Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, chairman of the committee, spoke to WorldNetDaily and expressed concern about conditions in eastern Europe. He said the Russian economy is so depressed the government there has been unable to deal adequately with Y2K computer bug problems in nuclear weapons and power plants.
“Most of the United States’ developed trading partners are in good shape. Canada and Mexico both reported high degrees of readiness for cross-border trade. Meanwhile, the State Department has assembled information on Y2K readiness and risks to be included on the Department’s Consular Information Sheets. The Department will update the information and issue travel advisories where necessary,” said a White House news release.
The current State Department travel advisory states: “U.S. citizens should consider deferring travel to Russia until the extent of Y2K-related disruptions, which may begin January 1, becomes clear. U.S. citizens in Russia should consider their personal situations and take those actions they deem appropriate to ensure their well-being, including departure. When making such plans, it is prudent to take into account the potential for diminished availability of seats on commercial airlines as January 1, 2000 approaches.”
The Office of the White House Counsel on the Year 2000 issued a final quarterly report this week. President Bill Clinton complimented John Koskinen and others involved in the presentation of the report, and said Americans have nothing to worry about because virtually all Y2K computer bug problems have been solved.
“And while most of our large trading partners are in good shape, we still have concerns about the Y2K preparations of some developing nations. The State Department will continue to update its country-by-country assessments and advisories as new information becomes available,” said Clinton.
He did not mention State Department plans for evacuation of diplomats because of fear that some of the nuclear plants in parts of Europe may pose a danger. He also did not mention the extensive plans by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and 33 other government agencies to be on red alert during the last few days of the year and the first few days of the new year.
Bennett says the Russians cannot be convinced to shut down nearly 100 nuclear power plants to prevent a possible catastrophe. France also relies heavily on nuclear power and has announced plans to shut down its power plants on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 as a precaution.
The Russians are too proud to take similar action, according to Bennett. They do admit they lack the safety systems necessary to prevent major problems, so they plan to put their power plants on a manual system. Power plant staff will be working around the clock to watch for trouble, and will be prepared to react manually to problems and hopefully prevent a disaster.
George Washington University held an on-line town hall meeting last week during which students and others were able to ask President Clinton questions on any subject.
“Mr. President, if you were an ordinary citizen, would you save a little food for Y2K,” asked one student amid laughter from the audience.
“You know, we’ve had so many jokes about that, about taking our pickups to Arizona and all. The answer is, no,” stated Clinton, followed by more laughter.
“I wouldn’t, because I think America is in good shape. We have worked very, very hard on this,” the president told the students. “I want to thank the vice president and John Koskinen, who’s helped us. I want to thank all the big — the financial institutions, the utilities, the other big sectors in our economy that have gotten Y2K-ready.
“The only problems left in the United States that we’re aware of are with some of our small businesses who basically haven’t yet made sure that they’re Y2K compliant. But the United States is doing fine, and I wouldn’t hoard food, and I wouldn’t hide. I would be trusting, because I think we’re going to make it fine,” he concluded.
Koskinen held a meeting with FEMA and other agencies Oct. 14 in preparation for his final quarterly report presented this week by Clinton. A FEMA employee who attended that meeting took notes and presented them to WorldNetDaily.
“The White House (legal) counsel will request agency general counsels to assess their legal authorities to respond to state, local, foreign governments or the private sector, requests for help to address Y2K related problems,” the notes said.
Agencies have been asked to determine what legal authority they have to respond to Y2K-based requests for help. They also have been asked to determine if the president must officially declare a state of emergency before federal agencies can respond.
“Should it become necessary, a presidential emergency rather than a major disaster will be declared, and assistance will be focused on addressing threats to life, health, safety, and property,” said Lacy E. Suiter, executive associate director of the Response and Recovery Directorate for FEMA in a recent report to Bennett’s committee.
The notes also reveal there was concern in the meeting over funding for assistance. The Office of Management and Budget told those gathered that there is no funding currently available.
John O’Keefe of the State Department has similar concerns about foreign governments that might request help from the United States because of Y2K-related disasters.
O’Keefe reported that the International Working Group is reviewing a framework for making decisions which include worst case scenarios, limits of the law, and how to determine if it is in the interest of the United States to respond to such requests.
FEMA and the International Working Group just completed a Y2K training exercise last week. Discussions included how to respond to requests for aid with diplomatic and military forces at reduced levels. The State Department will begin removing staff on Dec. 20 and will not return them to duty for as long as 30 days.
Although the United States has diplomats in over 100 countries, the State Department has determined that it is only necessary to remove staff from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. However, facilities are in place in all foreign embassies to provide emergency power, food, and shelter for all employees for an extended period. Satellite telephones are also in place to maintain communications.
Even though the same emergency preparations are in place in the four countries, the State Department has decided there are added risks in those four countries that warrant evacuation.
U.S. personnel in Russia have been given an assessment of the risks involved with Y2K. It stated that the overall risk was “negligible,” but evacuation was still recommended.
To pay the expenses of employees to return to the U.S. for a month, the State Department had to conduct the exodus as an evacuation. Anything done on a voluntary basis would not qualify for the funds. Employees will receive airfare, lodging, and per diem expense money totalling as much as $10,000 for a period of 30 days, according to the State Department.
State Department employees who were planning to take vacations during this period will not receive any financial help because they were planning to leave anyway. No employees will be permitted to return until the State Department declares that the danger has passed, which could result in a longer-than-planned vacation for some.
American citizens in the affected areas have been warned. The U.S. embassy sent a warning letter advising Americans to fill up their bathtubs with water, to have extra food on hand, and suggested they also be sure to have a manual can opener, since there may not be any electricity to open cans of food.
A travel advisory has also been issued advising all Americans to avoid travel to the area during the Y2K rollover period.
There are approximately 10,000 Americans in the four countries involved. If disaster strikes, there may be no sign of help from the U.S. and no way to communicate for a very long time.
“Y2K could test us all. No one knows for sure what will happen following rollover to January 1. We are hoping for the best, but taking necessary and prudent steps to prepare for any contingencies,” explained Suiter in his report.
In the evacuation order and travel advisory issued by the State Department, U.S. citizens were warned that disruptions may last for an extended period of time. They were also warned that help from the U.S. should not be expected.
“Prolonged disruptions in energy supplies in Russia could put other systems dependent on electrical power at risk. In practical terms, this could mean disruption of basic human services such as heat, water, telephones, and other vital services. The U.S. embassies and consulates in Russia will remain open and available to provide emergency assistance for U.S. citizens. However, U.S. embassies and consulates abroad do not have facilities to provide private U.S. citizens overseas with food, water, fuel, medicines, shelter or other equipment and supplies in the event of disruptions of essential services in foreign countries,” warned the State Department.