The preoccupation with identifying the Rebbe (zatza”l) as Moshiach is clearly contrary to the Rebbe’s wishes.
let it be known that the views expressed in these notices are in no way a reflection of the movement’s position. While we do not intend to preclude expressions of individual opinion,
This is diplomacy. Not a disavowal and a clear statement that the rebbe is NOT moshiach. It goes on about how it’s conjecture, how it’s not important, how the rebbe didn’t want it (which isn’t the point – the point is that it’s FALSE.. they’re still obsessing over what the lubavitcher rebbe wanted as opposed to what Hashem wants).
This statement reads like a “wink wink”. Like when one parent says no to a kid to show solidarity with the other parent, but the kid knows he’s getting what he wants from the first one.
If someone claimed that rav shach (whose name was menachem too!) Was moshiach, there wouldn’t be any tolerance of their individual opinions. It would be said that he was not moshiach, full stop, end of story.
They had to say something because the more exteme, open messianics would give chabad a bad name and hurt their kiruv, which “the rebbe wanted”, so his desires for kiruv are more importmant to them than whatever else he may have desired…the difference is in priority, not in ideology.