Waldheim Takes Office, Vows ‘Never Again’ on Anti-Semitism

Kurt Waldheim, who is accused of hiding a Nazi past, today took office as president of Austria and condemned anti-Semitism by declaring, “Never again” of the persecution of Jews.

“The ‘never again’ sworn atop the rubble of the Second World War by Austrians referred then and refers today, too, not only to the horrors of the Holocaust but also to the frightening frame of mind that caused it: anti-Semitism,” Waldheim said in his inaugural speech to Parliament after being sworn in.

“It must, therefore, be our intention that is renewed every day, to consider and treat each of our fellow citizens as brother and sister--regardless of which race, which religion and which conviction he holds,” he said.

Waldheim, 67, who succeeds Rudolf Kirchschlaeger in the mainly ceremonial office of president, won the six-year term in a June 8 election after a bitter campaign. His opponents contend that the former U.N. secretary general was involved in war crimes as a German army officer in the Balkans, that he knew of deportations of Jews to death camps and that he lied about it all for 40 years.

Wrongdoing Denied

Waldheim has acknowledged serving in German Army Group E, which took part in reprisals against civilians, but has denied any personal wrongdoing.

There was scattered applause and some cheering from the crowd of several thousand as Waldheim, on his way on foot from Parliament to the Hofburg Building housing the presidential offices, laid wreaths of red and white carnations at a soldiers’ memorial and at a monument to all those killed in the two World Wars.

As he approached the Hofburg, a group of three Americans and three Austrians hoisted a placard saying “No to the War Criminal President.” Police confiscated the sign but allowed the demonstrators to remain with a large photograph of Waldheim in a World War II German army uniform and an oversize facsimile of a U.N. War Crimes Commission document implicating the new president in war crimes.

The protesters’ chant of “Waldheim never” was soon drowned out by the pro-Waldheim crowd shouting “Long live Waldheim!” Some Waldheim supporters cursed the protesters and shouted “Down with Israel!”

3 Ambassadors Absent

Most of the nations represented in Austria sent ambassadors to the ceremonies, but the chief diplomats of the United States, Israel and the Soviet Union were absent.

Israel withdrew its ambassador after Waldheim’s election and ordered its charge d’affaires not to attend the inaugural ceremony at Parliament. U.S. Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder and the chief Soviet diplomat here said they had previous commitments and could not attend.

Representing the United States was Felix S. Bloch, the second-ranking American diplomat. The Soviets also sent their No. 2 man.

A Soviet Embassy official who asked for anonymity said Ambassador Mikhail T. Efremov was “on a regular holiday that had been planned for a long time.” He said his absence had nothing to do with the Waldheim controversy.

Will Attend Reception

U.S. Embasssy spokesman Walter Kohl said Lauder will attend Waldheim’s reception Thursday for the heads of diplomatic missions.

The office of president in Austria mainly involves receptions for foreign dignitaries and traveling abroad as the country’s top elected official.

On Monday, Waldheim aide Gerold Christian denied the latest allegation that Waldheim knew about deportations of Greek Jews to the Auschwitz death camp.

The New York-based World Jewish Congress, which has led the anti-Waldheim campaign, released a document Monday that it said linked his unit to the deportations.

“It is regrettable that this evil defamation campaign is continuing against the elected president,” Christian said.