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
The Berlin Wall opens
Description of a “historic night” of free travel between East and West Berlin.
Robert Corbett, British Military Government in GermanyDouglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office
West Berlin, 10 November 1989, 9.15 a.m.
Read documentReflections on political life in the GDR in the immediate aftermath of the opening of the Berlin Wall.
Nigel Broomfield, GB · Embassy in BerlinDouglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office
East Berlin, 13 November 1989, 9.10 a.m.
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
The Brandenburg Gate reopens
Concern at the perception of the UK attitude towards German unity is expressed.
Christopher Mallaby, Great Britain · Embassy in BonnDouglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office
Bonn, 5 January 1990, 4.41 p.m.
Read documentThe heads of Polish diplomatic missions abroad are given the following instruction: Polish support for German reunification is made contingent upon Germany recognizing Poland’s western border along the Oder and Lusatian Neisse Rivers.
Krysztof Skubiszweski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs–
Warsaw, 1 February 1990
Read documentOttawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks
Analyse der drei grundlegenden Prozesse von historischer Bedeutung, die sich gegenwärtig in Europa abspielen: die europäische Integration, die Auflösung des Ostblocks und die damit verbundene Eliminierung der sicherheitspolitischen Bipolarität in Europa und die deutsche Wiedervereinigung.
Jürg Leutert, Swiss Embassy in BonnEDA · Politische Direktion · Zentrale Dienste · Politisches Sekretariat, EDA · Politische Direktion · Politische Abteilung I, Swiss Embassy in East Berlin, Swiss Embassy in London, Swiss Embassy in Moscow, Swiss Embassy in Paris, Swiss Embassy in Rome, Swiss Embassy in Washington
Bonn, 13. Februar 1990
Read documentFirst free elections to the GDR People’s Chamber
First Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn
Information about progress towards German unification and the Two plus Four process.
Douglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office–
London 23 May 1990, 6 p.m.
Read documentMonetary, economic and social union enters into force
Arkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
Speculative reflections on the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of Germany, and what it means for Europe and the world.
Thomas W. Delworth, Canada · Embassy in BerlinCanada · Global Affairs
Bonn, 23 July 1990
Read documentUnification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
German–Polish Border Treaty signed