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Harvard officials yesterday defended the choice of von Weiszacker, whose selection as the speaker for the 336th Commencement was announced in March...
...Von Weizsacker has been specially praised for a1985 speech he delivered on the 40th anniversaryof Germany's unconditional surrender. Many saidthe speech was an eloquent response to the moralproblems raised in Germany and the United Stateswhen President Reagan visited a Bitburg cemeterythat contained the graves of members of theS.S.--the Nazi elite guard...
...Perhaps, he has a blind spot about hisfather's [actions]," the former Dean of theFaculty said. But he added, "for a son to attemptto defend his father is an understandable act."Rosovsky also pointed out that von Weizsackerreceived an honorary degree from Tel AvivUniversity and had recently made a state visit toIsrael...
Rabbi Ben-Zion Gold of Harvard Hillel said hethought von Weiszacker was an excellent choice asCommencement speaker. He also attacked those whowere critical of the West German president. "It isparticularly disturbing because people have becomeguilt peddlers," Gold said...
Other members of the University said they weredisappointed in the choice of von Weiszacker.Professor of Law Alan Dershowitz said the Germanpresident was "a man who, more than most admitshis own guilt, yet denies his father'santi-Jewish, anti-Catholic past...