AUSTRIA APOLOGIZES FOR NAZISM

Addressing Israel's parliament, Austria's president apologized today for his country's role in the Holocaust. Austrians have rarely acknowledged the fact that "many of the worst henchmen in the Nazi dictatorship were Austrians," President Thomas Klestil said. "Today, we Austrians recognize that an acknowledgment of the full truth was long overdue." The speech came at the end of Klestil's three-day visit to Israel -- the first by an Austrian head of state. For years, Austria denied persecuting Jews during World War II, even though 70,000 died within its borders. The relationship between Israel and Austria was particularly tense between 1986 and 1992, during the Kurt Waldheim presidency. Waldheim, a Nazi officer, was stationed near the camp sites. The countries are reportedly discussion reparations to Israel.Post your opinion on theInternationalbulletin board.