DAS Pushes Econ. Growth In 4 Nations

Four new field projects of Harvard's Development Advisory Service are off to a "flying start," according to Raymond Vernon, Director of the Development Advisory Service of the Center for International Affairs. With economic advisory teams currently operating in Indonesia, Pakistan, Argentina and Columbia, the Service is now negotiating with the government of Liberia for a new project to begin there this summer.

Progress Encouraging

Vernon, who just returned from a trip to inspect the programs in Latin America, says that the progress of the two Argentine projects since their inception last summer has been particularly encouraging.

One Argentine team, made up of four advisors, is working with the National Development Council, the principal economic planning body in Argentina. The advisers are helping the Council devise a 3-4 year economic development plan for Argentina.

During his trip, Vernon and the fieild director of Harvard's advisory group were called in for an hour-long conference with Argentine President Ilia, who has shown great interest in the project's activities since his inauguration last year.

The other program in Argentina is currently aiding the Di Tella Institute, which is "the Ford Foundation of Latin America," according to Vernon. The Service has one resident advisor there, who helps the Di Tella plan its research projects in economic development. Visiting advisers are also invited by the Serv-for two or three month periods.

Long Term Strategy

The Columbian project works according to a plan similar to that of the first Argentine program. Four DAS members advise the Colombian National Planning Commission on its plans for economic development. In Colombia, Vernon says the planners already have a long-term strategy, but must be shown "how to make it work."

Unlike the two Latin American programs, the Indonesian project is relatively "low-pressure," Vernon says. Two advisers are at work with the Ministry of National Research, helping them to develop a corps of Indonesian economists who "can look at their economy rationally."