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Diplomatic documents · 1989–1990

Chronicle

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

  1. September 1989

  2. Hungary opens its border to Austria for GDR citizens

  3. AustriaMemododis.ch/52927

    Memo by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    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

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  4. October 1989

  5. Monday demonstration in Leipzig

  6. Honecker is replaced by Egon Krenz as SED General Secretary

  7. November 1989

  8. The Berlin Wall opens

  9. Federal Republic of GermanyJournaldodis.ch/52948

    Extract from the Diary of the Protocol Officer at the Embassy of the FRG in Warsaw, Rüdiger Freiherr von Fritsch

    Der Besuch Helmut Kohls in Warschau am 9. und 10. November 1989 wurde durch die spontane Rückkehr des Kanzlers nach Bonn unterbrochen, nachdem die DDR die innerdeutsche Grenze geöffnet hatte.

    Rüdiger Freiherr von Fritsch-Seerhausen, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Embassy in Warsaw–

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  10. AustriaMemododis.ch/52928

    Circular by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Am Tag nach der zufälligen Öffnung der Berliner Mauer sah sich das österreichische Außenministerium gezwungen, seinen Diplomaten grundlegende Informationen über die Haltung Österreichs zu der Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands zur Verfügung zu stellen.

    Johann Plattner, Austria · Ministry of Foreign AffairsThomas Klestil, Alois Mock, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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  11. NetherlandsTelegramExtract Confidentialdodis.ch/52958

    Telegram from the Dutch Ambassador in Bonn, Jan van der Tas, to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hans van den Broek

    Report on the events that unfolded on and after 9.11.1989. Van der Tas is critical of the "false note", the claim for reunification, brought into the festivities by FRG Chancellor Kohl.

    Jan van der Tas, Netherlands · Embassy in BonnHans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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  12. Federal Republic of GermanyMemoExtractdodis.ch/52949

    Memo for the Foreign Minister of the FRG, Hans-Dietrich Genscher

    Die Reaktionen der US -Regierung, der Medien und der Öffentlichkeit auf die jüngsten Ereignisse in Berlin und der DDR werden dargestellt. Die eher verhaltene Erklärung von Präsident Bush, wird auf den Fokus der US -Regierung auf die Wahrung von Stabilität in der NATO zurückführt.

    Eberhard Kölsch, Gebhardt von Moltke, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign OfficeHans-Dietrich Genscher, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office

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  13. Kohl presents his Ten-Point Plan

  14. United StatesMemoSecretdodis.ch/52912

    Memorandum for the President of the United States, George H. W. Bush

    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

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  15. PolandTelegramdodis.ch/53171

    Telegram from the Polish Ambassador in Cologne, Ryszard Karski, to the Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bolesław Kulski

    The ten-point plan for German reunification is assessed and the lack of any information about the inviolability of the Polish-German border is criticised.

    Ryszard Karski, Poland · Embassy in CologneBolesław Kulski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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  16. December 1989

  17. AustriaMemododis.ch/52929

    Memorandum of conversation by the Austrian Federal Chancellery

    Nur zwei Wochen nach der unbeabsichtigten Öffnung der Berliner Mauer hat der österreichische Bundeskanzler F. Vranitzky die DDR besucht. Ministerpräsident H. Modrow informierte über die aktuelle Situation in Ostdeutschland. Beide Regierungschefs nahmen zur Frage der Wiedervereinigung Stellung.

    Eva Nowotny, Austria · Government–

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  18. Federal Republic of GermanyMemododis.ch/52950

    Memo for the State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of the FRG, Jürgen Sudhoff

    Bericht über die kühle Reaktion der italienischen Regierung auf die Ereignisse in Deutschland. Italien messe der Stabilität in Europa sowie dem Fortschritt der europäischen Integration und dem KSZE-Prozess grosse Bedeutung bei.

    Beate Grzeski, Karl Heinz Kuhna, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign OfficeJürgen Sudhoff, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office

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  19. Federal Republic of GermanyTelegramExtract Confidential and very urgentdodis.ch/52953

    Telegram from the Ambassador of the FRG in Paris, Franz Pfeffer, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the FRG

    Information über die verschiedenen Reaktionen in Frankreich auf den Fall der Berliner Mauer und die jüngsten Entwicklungen in der DDR. Dabei wird die Notwendigkeit einer guten Öffentlichkeitsarbeit der deutschen Botschaft betont.

    Helmut Elfenkämper, Franz Pfeffer, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Embassy in ParisGermany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office

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  20. The Brandenburg Gate reopens

  21. January 1990

  22. United StatesMinutesSensitivedodis.ch/52913

    Memorandum by the United States National Security Council

    President Bush and Chancellor Kohl discussed proposals for the conventional force reduction talks in Vienna, particularly in light of recent developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.

    Philip D. Zelikow, USA United States of America · National Security Council–

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  23. AustriaMemododis.ch/52931

    Memorandum of conversation by the Austrian Foreign Ministry

    Im Zuge des Gegenbesuchs des ostdeutschen Ministerpräsidenten H. Modrow in Österreich traf sich der ostdeutsche Außenminister O. Fischer mit seinem österreichischen Amtskollegen A. Mock und sagte ihm, "dass es zur Vereinigung kommen werde".

    Hans Peter Manz, Austria · Ministry of Foreign AffairsAustria · Embassy in Berlin, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Österreich · Botschaft in Bonn, Österreich · Delegation in West Berlin

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  24. Federal Republic of GermanyMemododis.ch/52951

    Memo for the Foreign Minister of the FRG, Hans-Dietrich Genscher

    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

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  25. February 1990

  26. NetherlandsTelegramConfidentialdodis.ch/52960

    Telegram from the Dutch Ambassador in Bonn, Jan van der Tas, to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hans van den Broek

    Report on the visit of Defence Minister Relus ter Beek to the Defence Minister of the FRG Gerhard Stoltenberg, and the possible implications of German reunification for the banking situation in Germany, NATO cooperation, and the CSCE discussions with the Soviets.

    Jan van der Tas, Netherlands · Embassy in BonnHans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Defence

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  27. United StatesLetterSecretdodis.ch/52914

    Draft letter from the President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, to the Chancellor of the FRG, Helmut Kohl

    President Bush wrote to express support for Chancellor Kohl’s efforts to reunify Germany while remaining in NATO amidst rapidly changing events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Also: Memorandum for Brent Scowcroft, 8.2.1990. Also: Memorandum for the President.

    Robert D. Blackwill, USA United States of America · White HouseHelmut Kohl, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Government

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  28. Ottawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks

  29. SwitzerlandTelegramVertraulichdodis.ch/52281

    Politscher Bericht des schweizerischen Botschafters in Bonn, Alfred Hohl

    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

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  30. United StatesMemoSensitivedodis.ch/52917

    Memorandum for the President of the United States, George H. W. Bush

    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

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  31. IsraelTelegramSecret/Immediatedodis.ch/52945

    Telegram from the Israeli Ambassador in Bonn, Benjamin Navon, to the Israeli Foreign Ministry

    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

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  32. Federal Republic of GermanyTelegramUrgentdodis.ch/52952

    Telegram from the Ambassador of the FRG in Tel Aviv, Wilhelm Haas, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the FRG

    Haas 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

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  33. March 1990

  34. Soviet UnionDeclarationdodis.ch/53316

    Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, Eduard Shevardnadze

    Unequivocally accepting the right of the German people to proceed with the unification of their country, the main conditions to be observed in this process by the USSR and its Western partners are summarized and then discussed in detail.

    Eduard Shevardnadze, USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics · Ministry of Foreign Affairs–

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  35. First free elections to the GDR People’s Chamber

  36. April 1990

  37. SwitzerlandTelegramVetraulichdodis.ch/52282

    Politischer Bericht des schweizerischen Botschaft in Bonn, Alfred Hohl

    Analyse der Aussage eines Staatssekretärs des Auswärtigen Amts, dass die Wiedervereinigung als Aufgabe schlicht und einfach zu früh an Bonn herangetragen worden sei. Er befürchtet, dass die BRD noch nicht voll genug in Europa integriert sei und die Chancen deutsch-nationale Aufwallungen noch viel zu reell sind.

    Alfred Hohl, Swiss Embassy in BonnFederal Department for Foreign Affairs

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  38. IsraelTelegramSecret/Usual [priority]dodis.ch/52946

    Telegram from the Israeli Ambassador in Bonn, Benjamin Navon, to the Israeli Foreign Ministry

    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

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  39. Soviet UnionInterviewdodis.ch/53318

    Interview by the Irish Times with the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, Eduard Shevardnaze

    The USSR ’s approach towards the unification of Germany, considering it as a historic event meeting the aspiration of all German people, is laid out. However, it is underscored that the membership of the united Germany in NATO is unacceptable for the Soviet Union.

    Eduard Shevardnadze, USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics · Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Irish Times

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  40. May 1990

  41. First Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn

  42. PolandMemododis.ch/53173

    Memo by the Polish Military Mission in West Berlin

    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–

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  43. June 1990

  44. July 1990

  45. Monetary, economic and social union enters into force

  46. NetherlandsTelegramConfidentialdodis.ch/52961

    Telegram from the Dutch Ambassador in East Berlin, Egbert Jacobs, to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hans van den Broek

    Report on the state of affairs in the GDR, where people appear pleased with the prospect of reunification and see no reason to stretch out the country’s existence. These mental changes have had a profound impact on the internal political situation in the GDR.

    Egbert Jacobs, Netherlands · Embassy in BerlinHans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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  47. IsraelMemododis.ch/52947

    Memorandum from the Assistant Director-General for Eastern Europe, Yosef Govrin, to the Director-General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Reuven Merhav

    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

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  48. Arkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO

  49. AustriaMemododis.ch/52930

    Memo by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    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

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  50. AustriaMemododis.ch/52932

    Memo by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Analyse der sowjetischen Position zur deutschen Einheit nach den Durchbrüchen von Mitte Juli 1990 und Diskussion der Gründe für den Sinneswandel von Gorbatschow.

    Ernst Sucharipa, Austria · Ministry of Foreign AffairsThomas Klestil, Alois Mock, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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  51. August 1990

  52. Unification Treaty signed

  53. September 1990

  54. Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow

  55. October 1990

  56. SwitzerlandPolitical reportVertraulichdodis.ch/49561

    Politischer Bericht des schweizerischen Botschafters in Ost-Berlin, Franz Birrer

    Einschätzungen zur Auflösung der DDR und deren Anschluss an die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, wobei insbesondere die Beschleunigung des Wiedervereinigungsprozesses seit den Ereignissen an der Berliner Mauer und deren negativen Konsequenzen für die DDR betont werden.

    Franz Birrer, Swiss Embassy in East BerlinFederal Department for Foreign Affairs

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  57. German reunification

  58. November 1990

  59. PolandMemododis.ch/53174

    Memorandum by the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krzysztof Skubiszewski

    Summary of the talks between Prime Minister Mazowiecki and Chancellor Kohl. The current developments and arrangements for immediate measures, plans to sign a border treaty and a good neighbourly relations treaty, and the decision to abolish the visa requirement are discussed.

    Jerzy Sułek, Poland · Ministry of Foreign AffairsPoland · Government

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  60. German–Polish Border Treaty signed