Nuclear Weapons Computers Y2K Ready...07/23/99

WASHINGTON (AP) - Nearly all U.S. defense computers linked to nuclear weapons have been verified through testing as ready for the Year 2000 computer glitch, senior Pentagon officials said Thursday. There is no risk of accidental launch" or of losing the ability to fire U.S. weapons if necessary, Adm. Richard Mies, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, told a news conference. His command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is in charge of all U.S. nuclear weapons. Cooperation with Russia on Y2K issues has suffered as a result of Moscow's anger about the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Mies and other Pentagon officials said, but efforts are under way to restore a dialogue.