"In Harvard Square we want to encourage tourismappropriate in character that tells a tale aboutCambridge," she said. "The history of Boston andCambridge is not military. To emphasize themilitary is to do a disservice to them."

John R. Pitkin, president of the Mid-CambridgeNeighborhood Association, concurred. "It's goingto be an assault of these kinds of vehicles onCambridge."

But Wilson said that his duck tours will notdiffer markedly from the already existing trolleytours that operate in Boston and Cambridge.

"I feel that [the Defense Fund] is selectivelycutting me out in a very undemocratic way," Wilsonsaid. "I don't understand why motorcoaches twiceas big can go through [Cambridge], but I can't."

Wilson said that if necessary, he may removeCambridge from the current plans for tour routes.

While Boston Duck Tours has already receivedapproval from the Cambridge License Commission,the new firm has been denied the use of MemorialDrive and the banks of the Charles by theMetropolitan District Commission, which controlsall park lands.

The company is now awaiting decisions from theCambridge City Council and Department of PublicUtilities, which has the ability to override theother agencies' decisions