Austria Sends Out ‘White Book’ Defending Waldheim’s Record

Austria today began distributing a 500-page book intended to guide its ambassadors in refuting allegations that President Kurt Waldheim was connected with war crimes during World War II.

A Foreign Ministry official said copies of the so-called “white book,” compiled in English by Waldheim’s son, Gerhard, and ministry officials, were sent to all Austrian envoys abroad.

It supports Waldheim’s rejection of allegations that he had a role in deporting Jews and others while serving in the German army in Greece and Yugoslavia between 1942 and 1945.

Journalists were given copies in manuscript form. Waldheim’s office said the book will be published and offered for sale next month.

“Since nothing has come to light which would credibly burden him, Dr. Waldheim’s professional record and his unimpaired assertion of innocence, as well as the general rules of fairness, call for an end to this affair,” the manuscript said.

The historian heading an international commission set up with Austrian funding to examine Waldheim’s wartime career said the panel could reach different conclusions.

Swiss military expert Hans Rudolf Kurz told Austrian radio that the book is “the work of the president and his point of view.” The commission, due to begin work in September, could have other points of view here and there, he said.