The International Scientific and Technological Center (ISTC), headquartered in Moscow, has established the program named "Year 2000 problem". The program is aimed at providing protection and safe storage of nuclear materials and other hazardous substances in Russian Federation, Armenia and Kazakhstan. Within the framework of the program, about US$ 1.5 million will be assigned for equipment, materials, salaries for scientific and technical experts, as well as support of Y2K crisis centers and propagation of the urgent information. The project is funded by ISTC co-founders, namely the European Union, USA, and Japan.

The program has been established by ISTC following the consultations with special Competence Centers on Year 2000 Problem in Russian Ministry of Nuclear Power, Ministry of Fuel and Power and Ministry of Extreme Situations, as well as a number of other national and international agencies. The Centers of Competence in Russia coordinate efforts on Y2K problem nationwide. In particular, their work should provide security of the facilities handling the hazardous substances and other critical systems. The Centers will assign both funding and personpower for performing this task.

Since April 22, 1999, the ISTC is accepting proposals and applications from scientific and technical teams in Russia and other CIS countries, related to Y2K problem. The first preliminary decisions on funding these programs are expected to be done in mid-May.

Source: InfoArt News Agency

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