Hello Leslie,
you're right, the keypad is country specific. The Mk1 keypad differs from Mk2 on the three keys left of the scrollwheel and has additional labling on the cover between the number keys.
Today I managed to speak to a technician of the service centre, and he told me that the only possibility is to make a complete update to Mk2 which means change of top and bottom cover and pcb - so in fact a complete new phone! Also costs are nearly the same, so maybe the best is to purchase an new phone :-/
But any other idea is welcome.....
Thanks Marcus