US gives Cyprus the all-clear for Y2K

CYPRUS is generally well prepared to deal with Y2K disruptions, but the regime in the north is not, a US State Department report has said.

The report said it was difficult to predict the severity or duration of Y2K- related disruptions.

“US citizens in Cyprus should take practical precautions, anticipate the potential for disruption to their daily activities and be prepared to cope with the impact of such disruptions,” it said.

Y2K, more commonly known as the millennium bug, which is expected to hit non-compliant systems on January 1, can disrupt essential services through computer malfunctions.

The State Department said that in countries which were unprepared, Y2K could affect financial services, utilities, health services, telecommunications, energy, transportation and other vital services.

“With increased attention to correcting Y2K problems in food storage and fuel distribution and the lack of Y2K compliance by some private companies, the potential risk of disruption in Cyprus will be low by year’s end,” the report said.

It stresses, however, that this information applies only to the southern part of the island under control of the government of Cyprus.

“Little is known about Y2K compliance in the northern third of the island and some disruptions can be expected,” the report said.

Possible problems in the north have also been mentioned by Britain as part of its list of progress in 50 countries around the world.

The Republic of Cyprus however is not mentioned on the list as a problematic area.

The government and private sector in Cyprus are optimistic that everything will run smoothly on January 1.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.