Kurt Waldheim

Kurt Waldheim was an Austrian diplomat and politician who served as United Nations secretary-general from 1972 to 1981 and president of Austria from 1986 to 1992. Controversy over his wartime service shaped his presidency and international reputation.

World War II: A global war fought from 1939 to 1945 between the Axis powers and the Allies. Waldheim served in the German army during the war, a fact central to later scrutiny.
Kurt Waldheim affair: An international controversy over Waldheim's wartime service and incomplete public accounts of it. This controversy became the defining political crisis of his presidential campaign and term.
United Nations secretary-general: The chief administrative officer and public representative of the United Nations. Waldheim held this office for two terms, from 1972 to 1981.
World Jewish Congress: An international organization representing Jewish communities and organizations around the world. It publicized evidence about Waldheim's wartime record and opposed his presidential candidacy.
German occupation of Austria: Nazi Germany's annexation and rule of Austria from 1938 until the end of World War II. Waldheim's wartime service took place while Austria was under German rule.
Simon Wiesenthal: An Austrian Holocaust survivor who documented Nazi crimes and pursued former Nazi perpetrators. Wiesenthal's disclosures helped bring Waldheim's wartime record into public debate.
United Nations Security Council: The UN body charged with maintaining international peace and security, including authorizing binding measures. As secretary-general, Waldheim worked amid the Council's Cold War divisions and crisis diplomacy.
United States Department of Justice watchlist: A list of people barred from entering the United States because of alleged participation in persecution. The United States placed Waldheim on its watchlist in 1987, citing his wartime service.
Balkan Campaign: The Axis invasion and occupation of Yugoslavia and Greece beginning in April 1941. Waldheim served as a German army intelligence officer in the Balkans.
Elisabeth Waldheim: An Austrian public figure who was married to Kurt Waldheim and served as Austria's first lady. She stood beside Waldheim during the presidency and the controversy surrounding it.

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