Waldheim, Kurt

Waldheim, Kurt ( 1918 –   )
Austrian diplomat and statesman, President ( 1986 – 92 ). He was Secretary‐General of the United Nations ( 1972 – 81 ) and, five years later, he stood as the right‐wing People's Party candidate for the presidency of Austria; this he secured after a run‐off election. During the campaign he denied allegations that as an army intelligence officer he had direct knowledge of Nazi atrocities during World War II; he was subsequently cleared in court of charges relating to his war record.