‘Trust Me,’ Waldheim Tells Austrians, Conscience Is Clear

President Kurt Waldheim said today that he has a “clear conscience” about his World War II service in the German army and told fellow Austrians, “You can trust me.”

The United States on Monday put Waldheim on its “watch list” of undesirable aliens, saying it had evidence that he aided in the deportation and execution of thousands of Jews and others as an army officer. (Story, Page 5.)

In a speech broadcast on national radio and television, Waldheim, 68, told his nation that “however much this situation moves me, I am deeply convinced that truth and justice will win out.”

Waldheim noted that the U.S. Justice Department had referred to new evidence in deciding to bar him from entering the United States.

“Let me emphasize to you that there can be no proof of guilty conduct,” Waldheim said in the five-minute address.

Waldheim said he had already asked researchers to prepare a “white book” about his work during the World War II years.

“This documentation will be made available to the public shortly,” Waldheim said, without giving details.

He said the U.S. decision was “dismaying and incomprehensible,” and thanked the Austrian government for its support.