Diplomatic documents · 1989–1990
A selection of telegrams, memos, minutes and letters from embassies and foreign ministries in eleven countries, set against the events from autumn 1989 to German unity.
Brandenburger Tor, 30 Jahre Mauerfall (2019): New York-air, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hungary opens its border to Austria for GDR citizens
Bereits im September 1989 schrieb ein weitsichtiger Diplomat des österreichischen Aussenministeriums eine ausführliche Analyse, in der er zu dem Schluss kam, dass die Frage der deutschen Wiedervereinigung in den kommenden Jahren ein bestimmendes Thema in der internationalen Politik sein wird.
Thomas Nowotny, Austria · Ministry of Foreign AffairsAustria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Vienna, 19 September 1989
Read documentMonday demonstration in Leipzig
Honecker is replaced by Egon Krenz as SED General Secretary
The Berlin Wall opens
Preliminary assessment of the implications of the dramatic events in East Berlin for US policy in Europe.
USA United States of America · State DepartmentJames Baker, USA United States of America · State Department
Washington, D.C., 10 November 1989
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
In response to the President’s request, an analysis of how recent events in Eastern Europe would impact Soviet policy in Germany. Included: Memorandum for Brent Scowcroft/Robert Gates, 29.11.1989.
Brent Scowcroft, USA United States of America · White HouseGeorge Herbert Walker Bush, USA United States of America · White House
Washington, D.C., 29 November 1989
Read documentThe Brandenburg Gate reopens
M. Gorbatschow und E. Schewardnadse halten die deutsche Einigung für unvermeidlich. Deshalb konzentrieren sie sich darauf, die Entwicklung durch den KSZE-Prozess zu steuern und die deutsche Einigung als Katalysator zu nutzen, um die Entwicklung in Europa in ihrem Interesse zu beeinflussen.
Helmut-Wolfgang Brett, Klaus Neubert, Dietmar Stüdemann, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign OfficeHans-Dietrich Genscher, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office
Bonn, 31 January 1990
Read documentOttawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks
Discussion of the U.S. position in the upcoming Two-Plus-Four Talks on German reunification, particularly in light of Soviet concerns
Brent Scowcroft, USA United States of America · White HouseGeorge Herbert Walker Bush, USA United States of America · White House
Washington, D. C., 19 February 1990
Read documentFirst free elections to the GDR People’s Chamber
The main priorities of the USSR relating to the unification of Germany are discussed in detail with particular reference to the impermissibility of its membership in the North Atlantic Alliance.
Vyacheslav Ivanovich Kochemasov, USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics · Embassy in Berlin–
East Berlin, 29 March 1990
Read documentFirst Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn
Observations on the impact of German reunification on Polish-German relations. The need to develop pan-European cooperation based on the CSCE process with the participation of Canada and the United States.
Poland · Military mission in West Berlin–
West Berlin, 28 May 1990
Read documentMonetary, economic and social union enters into force
Arkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
Die Information fasst die Fortschritte auf dem Weg zur deutschen Einheit nach den Durchbrüchen von Mitte Juli 1990 zusammen und beleuchtet die Auswirkungen auf die Integrationspolitik Österreichs.
Marius Calligaris, Austria · Ministry of Foreign AffairsThomas Klestil, Alois Mock, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Vienna, 18 July 1990
Read documentThe Soviet Draft of an Agreement of the final legal settlement of the German issue to be confirmed and adopted at the Meeting of Heads of States-signatories to the Final Helsinki Act.
–Eduard Shevardnadze
Moscow, 6 August 1990
Read documentUnification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
German–Polish Border Treaty signed