"I said at the rally in front of all of thecameras that I did not represent the U.C.," Listonsaid. "I have video tape of myself saying it, andthe Boston Globe even says it."

An article in the April 12 issue of the BostonGlobe reads: "The council [Liston] heads has nottaken a position on the issue."

Former council president David M. Hanselman'94-'95 said last night that Liston's actions weredesigned primarily to gain personal notoriety.

"Being U.C. president can be a powerful way tocapture attention on issues, but the press releasein question, I thought, showed Josh using hisposition on the council for nothing more thanself-promotion," Hanselman said.

"As president, he has a responsibility torepresent not only the council but also thestudents of Harvard in a conscientious fashion,"Hanselman said. "In organizing the rally for GinaGrant, he violated that principle."

At last Sunday's council meeting, Liston saidhe would not take a stand on the Gina Grant issue,linking it with his efforts to implement popularelections for council officers.

"I refuse to take a stand on the Gina Grantissue simply because I don't have a mandate,"Liston said on Sunday. "If I had been elected bythe student body, I would feel comfortablespeaking out on the issue."

Hanselman said that Liston's statements lastSunday call his actions into further question.

"I think, given those words last Sunday, hemost definitely misled the council that the GinaGrant issue wouldn't come up. He also alluded thatas the council president, it would be tempting totake a stand given all of the media attention itwould attract. I think his motives were definitelyself-serving," Hanselman said.

Hanselman said that as president he would haveacted differently.

"I definitely wouldn't have had such aknee-jerk reaction to it," Hanselman said. "Iwould have brought it up in front of the fullcouncil and gotten their approval."

Liston said that he strongly consideredbringing legislation in front of the council tosupport Grant but decided that doing so would notbe consistent with his views of the council'sauthority.

"It would have looked hypocritical for me tohave done so based on my criticism of Hanselmandoing that on the ROTC issue last semester,"Liston said. "Looks like I'm the only one who isconcerned about being a hypocrite here."

Last semester, Hanselman brought legislationbefore the council to take a stand on the ROTCcompromise. During his presidential campaign,Liston criticized that legislation saying that thecouncil didn't have the authority to representstudent views on such controversial issues.

Liston also produced a letter in which he saysHanselman used his title as council president toendorse a candidate for the directorship of theInstitute of Politics.