IF statement problem AS2.0 / CS3

[Waldo]

Hi guys! This is my first post here, so I'll try to be as concise as possible.

I'm designing a web portal with some quick links to various sites / services etc. I also want to include a network status monitor so people can see if there's a problem with the internet (might stop people phoning us en-mass when there is a problem) So I have a movie clip with 3 frames each frame has it's own colour of satus icon (Green / Yellow / Red)

CODE:
NS = STAT.Network;
if (NS == "G") {tellTarget ("/st_Network") {gotoAndPlay(1);}}

This doesn't work either!
if (STAT.Network== "G") {tellTarget ("/st_Network") {gotoAndPlay(1);}}

Variables file
&Network=R
&Email=G
&Internet=R
&Telephony=Y
&MSG=All systems go!

I know that the variables are being pulled in (I can output them to screen) I also know that the other side of the IF statement works when I remove the IF. So I'm stuck!

Many thanks in advance!