OAS Official Urges Nations to Cooperate

The most significant efforts in solving domestic problems should come from within the involved nation, the Organization of American States (OAS) Chief of Staff told an audience of more than 60 last night at the Kennedy School of Government.

Hugo DeZala, who is also a professor at Georgetown University, said that international intervention often complicates a nation's problems.

"History proves that when a solution is based in a regional context, it is more effective than any imposed by an outside group," DeZala said.

At the lecture, which was sponsored by Harvard Organization of Latin America, DeZala discussed the background of the current turmoil in South and Central America and the efforts made by OAS to foster democracy and social balance.

"The problems of Central America began in the early '80s," he said. "With the Cold War in effect, different tensions and ideologies were played out in Central America."

DeZala said he did not agree with former President Reagan's "policy of fighting the threat of communism."

"The increase of tension was due primarily to the increase of general armed conflict," DeZala said.

DeZala also discussed problems in Nicaragua andGuatemala and the efforts OAS is making to remedythem.

"In Nicaragua, we worked towards therealization of electoral processes by removingforeign military officers," he said.

DeZala said economic cooperation is especiallynecessary to battle the tension in the region.

Because more nations are cooperating currently,DeZala said, he is optimistic about the prospectsfor peace in South and Central America.

"We are now seeing social and economicrecovery," he said. "We are almost ready toovercome the situation of the '80s and move on.

DeZala also discussed problems in Nicaragua andGuatemala and the efforts OAS is making to remedythem.

"In Nicaragua, we worked towards therealization of electoral processes by removingforeign military officers," he said.

DeZala said economic cooperation is especiallynecessary to battle the tension in the region.

Because more nations are cooperating currently,DeZala said, he is optimistic about the prospectsfor peace in South and Central America.

"We are now seeing social and economicrecovery," he said. "We are almost ready toovercome the situation of the '80s and move on.