Swiss Diplomat Rudolf Waldheim's Nazi Past Sparks Controversy A long-buried secret from the past has resurfaced, casting a shadow over the legacy of Rudolf Waldheim, a former Swiss diplomat who went on to become the President of Austria. Waldheim's wartime service has been the subject of intense scrutiny, with allegations emerging that he was involved in the persecution of Jews during World War II. As the world grapples with the complexities of historical accountability, a new look at Waldheim's past raises questions about the extent of his involvement with the Nazi regime and the impact it had on his future career.