NATION

Robert M. Kavner, president of American Telephone & Telegraph’s Data Systems Group, has been elected a director of its Italian partner, Ing. C. Olivetti & Co. There had been reports of conflict between the companies earlier this year after they could not agree on terms for AT&T; to boost its stake in Olivetti, which stands at 22.3%. Kavner, who had been AT&T;’s chief financial officer, was named last month to head the Data Systems Group on the departure of Vittorio Cassoni, a respected computer executive who returned to Olivetti to become managing director.