The U.S. military is 100 percent ready to fight any Y2K problems that may arise but fears nuclear power Russia is not as well prepared, Reuters quoted Deputy Defense Secretary John Hamre as saying. In an upbeat briefing about the Pentagon's preparedness for any Y2K computer glitches, Hamre voiced some concern Russia was not as active in tackling the Y2K problem as the United States, especially for early warning systems, adding that a delegation was going to Russia next week to discuss working together on the issue.

The head of the group set up to tackle the Millennium Bug in the UK has now denied advising people to stock up with emergency food supplies. After the head of British Action 2000, Gwyneth Flower, was quoted by The Observer newspaper by advising people to stock at least two weeks supply saying: "Anyone sensible would plan for this. Because we don't want to see panic buying in the weeks leading up to next Christmas" Has now retracted her comments after allegedly being blasted by British government and action 2000 partner John Prescott.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Ms Flower later denied that she was encouraging people to stockpile goods and said The Observer had quoted her out of context.

Her apparent warning came days after the world Y2K summit, the first global convention of government representatives to deal with the so-called millennium bug that ended Friday. Most of the conference was held behind closed doors blocking reporters.

Oddly enough, the U.S Marine Corps is now gearing up for a high-tech military experiment which they say is designed to prepare Marines to fight in what some experts are calling the battlefields of the future -- the world's urban areas. The extremely hi-tech exercises get underway in San Francisco later this week.

Not only is Canada gearing up for the largest peacetime deployment ever, the Contingency Planning Group of Emergency Preparedness, a federal government organization within the Department of National Defense, is pushing for Martial Law.

The Canadian government is considering the use of emergency powers to quell potential chaos in the dawn of January 1, 2000, when the millennium bug makes its first bite.

"Among the activities that must be done to meet the problems resulting from Y2000 failures, is development of relevant emergency orders and regulations for the invocation of emergency provisions under the Emergencies Act."

"In the worst case, we should consider the Emergencies Act a potential source of special powers," the Year 2000 Contingency Planning Group of Emergency Preparedness wrote in the report. The Branch who is also known to work with the

United States, to develop contingency plans to deal with the unthinkable, recommended that legislative changes are necessary to invoke emergency powers by March 1999.

The Ottawa Citizen also reported that the Canadian military is preparing for its largest ever deployment of soldiers in peacetime and is calling the marshal law action "Abacus".

Government experts predict computer systems, including those controlling banking, power and transportation, could likely shut down either partially or entirely as the year 2000 begins.

The head of the group set up to tackle the Milennium Bug in the UK has denied advising people to stock up with emergency food supplies. The head of Action 2000, Gwyneth Flower, is quoted by The Observer newspaper as saying: "Anyone sensible would plan for this. Because we don't want to see panic buying in the weeks leading up to next Christmas, consumers should think about this in advance."

Her apparent warning came despite government reassurances that food and power supplies will be unaffected by computer problems on 1 January 2000. Computer experts have predicted many systems could shut down with the advent of the next millennium as their two-digit-date system fails to distinguish between 2000 and 1900. But speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Ms Flower denied that she was encouraging people to stockpile goods and said The Observer had quoted her out of context.

The American Red Cross, in an effort to help families and individuals prepare for the Year 2000 technology problem has created an online Y2K checklist, suggesting the disaster-relief organization believes the threat posed by the computer glitch is serious.

As it is impossible to foresee exactly what problems will result from the old programming on New Year's Day 2000, many experts believe that the problem will be a persistent one over years rather than one large "crash."

The American Red Cross has developed an 11-item check list to help everyone handle Y2K in the best fashion possible. While the list is designed to help all who follow it, the American Red Cross also asks that everyone be an advocate in their communities by supporting local emergency and law enforcement officials.

Because many types of electrical equipment have embedded chips in them that control vital operations, the American Red Cross suggests that you first "check with manufacturers of any essential computer-controlled electronic equipment in your home to see if that equipment may be affected." This includes garage door openers, electronic locks, consumer electronics, security and fire systems, appliances and programmable thermostats. If the equipment will be affected, it should be dealt with according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Although building an extra shed to hoard supplies is not suggested by the American Red Cross, the second thing the organization does suggest is to stock disaster supplies that will last several days to a week for yourself and all who live with you. This will include nonperishable foods and water as well as an adequate supply of nonprescription and prescription drugs that you and your household regularly use.

"At least a gallon per person per day to drink and a gallon per person per day for hygienic purposes should be stored," suggested Christopher Thomas, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross

Because computer systems may fail at banks, the American Red Cross also suggested that you keep some extra cash on hand as well.

"Plan to keep cash in a safe place," says the American Red Cross. "Withdraw your money from your bank in small amounts well in advance of 12/31/99 to avoid long lines at the bank at the last minute."

A few days or so before 12/31/99, the American Red Cross also suggests filling your gas tank. However, you should keep in mind that your car may have embedded chips that control vital functions such as power brakes, power steering, electronic fuel injection and other functions.

In case power fails in your area, the American Red Cross says that it would be wise to have alternative cooking methods planned.

It certainly doesn't sound very promising dose it! No matter how serious Y2K may be, Thomas believes that everyone should be prepared, and he said that the American Red Cross check-list falls in line with normal disaster preparedness for the organization.

"We have to be prepared for the possibility (of a disaster)," said Thomas. "And the American Red Cross -- though hoping for the best -- is definitely preparing for the worst."

The European Commission has warned member countries and European businesses that efforts to bring systems in line with the year 2000 problem simply aren't sufficient -- particularly in the electricity and road transport sectors and the local and regional government levels. A 25-page report issued today, "How the European Union is tackling the Year 2000 Computer Problem," also highlights areas of potential problems, including water and waste management, health and the food supply chain.