‘Totally Convincing’ Case in Waldheim Ban, Shultz Asserts

Secretary of State George P. Shultz, citing what he called a “totally convincing” case, told Austria’s chancellor Wednesday the United States will not lift an order barring Austrian President Kurt Waldheim for alleged involvement in Nazi crimes in World War II.

Shultz met with Chancellor Franz Vranitzky for the first high-level U.S.-Austrian discussions since the Justice Department’s April 27 decision to ban Waldheim from entering the United States because of his German military record. Austrian officials have criticized the ban, saying no evidence was offered to support it.

But Shultz said, “We have examined the evidence, we find the case totally convincing, and that stands, but we’re quite prepared to explain our decision and we’ll amplify it to the extent they (Austrians) wish.”

Shultz acknowledged the case has injected tension into bilateral relations and reiterated that the decision against Waldheim has not altered the Washington’s high regard for Austria and its people.

In a toast at a luncheon honoring Vranitzky, Shultz praised Austria and its government for peace efforts, and he paid homage to the country for serving as a transit point for Jews and other emigres leaving the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.