Kurt Waldheim

Kurt Waldheim (21 December 1918 – 14 June 2007) was an Austrian diplomat and politician who served as Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1972 to 1981 and as the ninth President of Austria from 1986 to 1992.

Early life and education

Waldheim was born on 21 December 1918 in St. Andrä-Wördern, Lower Austria, the son of a schoolteacher. He attended the University of Vienna, where he studied law and political science. In 1945, he earned a doctorate in law from the University of Graz.

Diplomatic career

After graduating from law school, Waldheim joined the Austrian diplomatic service. He served in various positions in Austria's embassies in Paris, London, and Moscow. In 1956, he was appointed Austrian ambassador to the United Nations.

Secretary-General of the United Nations

In 1972, Waldheim was elected Secretary-General of the United Nations. He served two five-year terms, from 1972 to 1981. During his tenure, he played a key role in negotiating a number of international agreements, including the Helsinki Accords and the Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also helped to establish the United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Environment Program.

President of Austria

In 1986, Waldheim was elected President of Austria. He served one six-year term, from 1986 to 1992. During his presidency, he oversaw Austria's accession to the European Union. He also played a key role in promoting peace and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.

Controversies

Waldheim's career was marred by allegations that he had been a member of the Nazi Party during World War II. In 1986, a United Nations War Crimes Commission report found that Waldheim had "knowingly provided false information" about his wartime activities. The report also concluded that Waldheim had been a member of the Nazi student organization and that he had taken part in the persecution of Jews.

Waldheim denied the allegations, but they continued to dog him throughout his presidency. In 1992, he was banned from entering the United States. He died in Vienna on 14 June 2007.

Legacy

Waldheim's legacy is a complex one. He was a respected diplomat and politician who made significant contributions to international peace and security. However, his association with the Nazi Party and his subsequent denials of his wartime activities have tarnished his reputation.

In the years since his death, there have been renewed calls for a full investigation into Waldheim's wartime activities. In 2018, the Austrian government announced that it would establish a new commission to investigate Waldheim's role in the Nazi regime. The commission is expected to issue its findings in 2020.