Dissident Deserves Welcome

To the editor:

In response to your article, "Dissident Takes Summer English Classes," (News, July 2, 1998) I'd like to point out that what happened at Tiananmen Square, politely referred to by the Chinese government as an "incident" to cover up the criminality of their actions, was vastly more complex, with the protesters supporting a wide variety, even contradictory, programs. Moreover, it was not the mere endorsement of the American government as is commonly believed. But as a challenge to the old men who have used that arteriosclerotic muddle known as "Maoist theory" to make China into their Belgian Congo, it blazes around the world.

Wang Dan's opinions differ greatly from my own. But he is a man of great principle who will dream, who will sacrifice for a better future for China. Let us extend to him the warmest of welcomes to Harvard Summer School. DANIEL C. BOYER

The writer is a summer school student from Concord, N. H.