Making Y2K fallout predictions is like predicting the weather. Wait a few minutes, and it will change.
Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, the Senate's lead Y2K watcher, said Tuesday that intelligence officials expect computers that fail will create a low to medium probability of terrorist attacks, and a medium probability that economic unrest in developing countries will produce some civil unrest. But Bennett warned that conclusions drawn today might change because the Y2K issue "is a moving target."
Bennett and Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., called a closed Y2K meeting to brief their Senate colleagues on millennium-related national security issues. About 43 Senators attended, including Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss. and Minority Leader Tom Daschle D-S.D.
The meeting was one of several Y2K-related events orchestrated by the Senate special Y2K committee. In addition to the closed session, the panel formally released an interim assessment of the nation's Y2K readiness, available on their Web site.
"In this country, we will have a bump in the road, but it will not be crippling or last for a long time," Bennett said at a widely-covered news briefing. "Internationally, the chances for difficulty will be much higher."
Dodd said financial, utilities and telecommunications services are on track for 2000 preparedness, but said medical services "are in trouble."
About 84 percent of doctor's offices have not addressed the Y2K problem, and nearly 80 percent of the materials used by the pharmaceutical industry come from overseas, where Y2K preparations are lagging, the study found.
The study also found that 50 percent of small- to mid-sized businesses have yet to address the issue. In an attempt to rectify that, the Senate passed Sen. Kit Bond's S. 314, which would provide emergency Y2K small business loans, by a 99-0 vote.
The Senate also is expected to approve S. Res. 7, which would increase funding for Bennett's special Y2K panel. The panel has so far held more than 20 hearings examining government and industry Y2K readiness.
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