Revelations about Austrian President Kurt Waldheim`s role in World War II are timely in that they fall on the 50th anniversary of his country`s incorporation into Nazi Germany. The Anschluss of March, 1938, was welcomed at the time by hundreds of thousands of Austrians who cheered Hitler`s triumphant entry into Vienna.
Like Waldheim, the Austrian people were able to a great extent to escape the full consequences of their acquiescence. As war engulfed the rest of Europe, they could take the position, ”If we win, we`re German. If we lose, we`re Austrian-victims like the rest.”
Freed of foreign occupation as a nonaligned nation only 10 years after the war ended, Austria rapidly cleaned up the physical damage and took advantage of a rich cultural heritage together with the great natural beauty of its countryside to develop a thriving tourist industry. In the process, few looked back to analyze the immediate past or accept responsibility for it.
Kurt Waldheim ”followed orders” as an officer in the German army so he could ”survive,” as did countless others. But most of those who performed similar duties kept a low profile after the war, making no attempt to become international leaders or accept their nation`s highest office. Waldheim must recognize that his personal past reflects heavily on his people and the carefree image Austria tries to project to the rest of the world.
