Poles' pursuit of rights to continue, Walesa says

Martial law in Poland has only slowed social reform and a peaceful drive for ''basic rights'' will continue, Lech Walesa said in a letter read to graduates at Harvard University's 332nd commencement.

Mr. Walesa, the former leader of Poland's banned Solidarity labor union, who declined an invitation to speak at the ceremony, said the Solidarity movement resulted in ''practical'' changes created by a raised ''consciousness'' in Poland.

''It is a fact which truly exists and has great impact on reality,'' Mr. Walesa said. ''This is why we do not have to overthrow the system; It is weaker than the national self-awareness, it either shrinks before it or absorbs it.''