He said that Harvard does not encourage through its investments any activity that Kennedy's proposal would restrict. Therefore, Bok added, his personal endorsement of Kennedy's bill does not contradict University policy.
The president said in the interview that he has considered since last fall taking some personal action to support legislation on South Africa-Bok added that as a university. Harvard has done what it can to aid the oppressed in South Africa, through dialogue with companies and programs to help educate Black South Africans.
He said, however, "Activities of private institutions must be supplemented by national action."
Gregory B. Craig '67, a Kennedy foreign policy adviser, said that the Senator introduced and sought comment on his bill following a visit to South Africa earlier this year. In addition to Book and other university presidents, Craig said, comments were solicited from "prominent but unvocal" experts such as bankers, lawyers, and labor leaders.
Craig said Kennedy often seeks comment from experts before introducing major pieces of legislation.
Kennedy would not comment on Bok's letter, which Craig said has not yet been received in Washington. But Craig said views such as Bok's will be useful in Kennedy's battle against Reagan supporters in Congress, who oppose the imposition of sanctions on South Africa in favor of "constructive engagement."
Craig said Senate sub-committee hearings on the bill will be held April 16 and 25, but predicted the bill will not reach the Senate floor before this fall because of expected opposition from Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kan.), an ardent Reagan supporter.
Student activists affiliated with the Southern Africa Solidarity Committee and the Law School Divestment Committee last night issued a statement in response to Bok's letter, praising the president for his support of Kennedy's bill but criticizing Bok's reluctance to allow Harvard to enter the political realm.
The student statement, which call Bok's letter a victory for campus activist groups, says that Bok's criticims of Reagan's policy "constructive engagement" is hypocritical. The students cited Bok's criticism of the Administration's "tacit acquiescence in a status quo which offends our most precious ideas," charging that this position could equally apply to Harvard's reluctance to completely divest.
The statement calls on Bok to stop "making' paternalistic judgements about Harvard's own contribution" to the fight against apartheid, and to listen to Black South African calls for divestment