>First, try to convince the National DB manager to grant select only priviliges on just the data you need. Explain that this is really no different than getting the data in an exported file. If that fails, then you have to develop a procedure to import the file they provide to you. You would have to create the Oracle tables yourself to insert [or update] the data into.
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>If you gained select privileges, you could then create views in your schema. Are your requirements providing personnel updates back to the national DB?

We only need read only to the national system. I have tried the view approach, htey will not buy it. From research I'm doing, it seem read only snapshot rplication is the way to go, but I still have to battle the powers that be to get it. I need alternative approaches, so I can ask for the stars and settle for a graveyard plot. :-)