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
Monday demonstration in Leipzig
Honecker is replaced by Egon Krenz as SED General Secretary
Report on a discussion with Wolfgang Mischnick of the FDP on his impressions of a visit to East Berlin; Israel's concerns are voiced.
Benjamin Navon, Israel · Embassy in BonnIsrael · Foreign Ministry
Bonn, 27 October 1989
Read documentThe Berlin Wall opens
In preparation for a parliamentary debate, the Israeli Ambassador in Bonn suggests that warnings of a wave of dangerous nationalism in Germany may be exaggerated.
Benjamin Navon, Israel · Embassy in BonnIsrael · Foreign Ministry
Bonn, 14 November 1989
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
East German overtures towards Israel, including public statements in press interviews. Govrin believes that the GDR sees Israel and world Jewry as potential allies against plans for German reunification.
Yosef Govrin, Israel · Foreign MinistryReuven Merhav, Israel · Foreign Ministry
Jerusalem, 17 December 1989
Read documentThe Brandenburg Gate reopens
Ottawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks
A report on Foreign Minister Arens' talks in Bonn with Chancellor Kohl and President von Weizsäcker. Arens told the latter that he sees the reunification of Germany as "a foregone conclusion". Kohl said that East Germany was rapidly collapsing, and assured Arens that "there is no Fourth Reich, and never will be."
Benjamin Navon, Israel · Embassy in BonnIsrael · Foreign Ministry
Bonn, 20 February 1990
Read documentHaas reports critical reactions on behalf of the Israeli press and some cabinet members to remarks by Israel’s Foreign Minister Moshe Arens on the possibility of German unification.
Wilhelm Haas, Heimo Richter, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Embassy in Tel AvivGermany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office
Tel Aviv, 20 February 1990, 1.55 p.m.
Read documentFirst free elections to the GDR People’s Chamber
Review of the situation in the GDR following the elections. The new parliament has passed a resolution recognizing Germany's crimes against the Jews and instructing the government to work for establishment of relations with Israel. Open official negotiations with the GDR are proposed.
Benjamin Navon, Israel · Embassy in BonnIsrael · Foreign Ministry
Bonn, 16 April 1990
Read documentDer Botschafter der DDR in der Schweiz, E. Bikow, sucht das eidgenössische Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten auf, um eine Erklärung der Volkskammer zu übergeben und über die bilateralen Beziehungen, insbesondere über Visafragen, zu sprechen. Darin: Gemeinsame Erklärung aller Fraktionen der Volkskammer vom 12.4.1990
Daniel Woker, EDA · Politische Direktion · Politische Abteilung I–
Bern, 18. April 1990
Read documentFirst Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn
Monetary, economic and social union enters into force
A summary of the pros and cons of establishing diplomatic relations with East Germany on the eve of reunification. West Germany favours the step. It would be a diplomatic coup towards the Arabs, but would not solve the problem of Israel's material demands.
Yosef Govrin, Israel · Foreign MinistryReuven Merhav, Israel · Foreign Ministry
Jerusalem, 10 July 1990
Read documentArkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
Unification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
German–Polish Border Treaty signed