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by Patrick Thibodeau

(IDG) -- Unlike the U.S. State Department, U.S. businesses operating in Russia aren't making plans to evacuate employees because of concerns about potential year 2000-related disruptions, according to interviews with officials in both countries.

The State Department recently authorized the "voluntary departure" of embassy workers before New Year's in Russia and three other former Soviet republics -- Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. U.S. officials aren't advising American citizens in those countries to do the same but are urging people to consider deferring travel to the countries until the extent of the Y2K disruptions become clear.

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"Those people who are already in Russia could take whatever actions they think are appropriate to ensure their well being, including departure if necessary," said Nyda Budig, a state department spokeswoman.

But Michael Forman, the country manager in Moscow for Galileo International Inc., a Rosemont, Ill.-based company that provides electronic reservation services for the travel industry, said he hasn't heard of U.S. workers in Russia packing their bags because of Y2K.

"Many of my colleagues are going to be here -- I don't know anyone who is running away," said Forman in a telephone interview from his Moscow office.

"I can't say I'm not worried about [Y2K], but I'm not panicking about it," said Forman. "I'm hoping for the best, but I know there can be potential issues. But I am going to manage those for my company as best I can."

Forman, however, said that many key infrastructure systems such as power in Russia rely on mechanical controls and aren't date sensitive.

That view is backed by the International Y2K Cooperation Center, which has been meeting with Russian officials in an effort to assess the readiness of that country. Because of the widespread use of systems that aren't date sensitive, Y2K is only likely to cause "minor disruptions," said Lisa Pellegrin, a spokeswoman for the center.

Many Americans living in Russia head back to the U.S. for the holidays. One person at the American Chamber in Commerce in Russia, who didn't want to be identified, said she was unaware of people making plans to leave the country because of Y2K. "People are leaving for Christmas as usual," she said.

The CIA, however, recently warned Congress that it was expecting "significant" Y2K failures in Russia and Ukraine.