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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.

Documents per weekEvent
Sep 1989OctNovDecJan 1990FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovHungary opens its border to Austria for GDR citizensMonday demonstration in LeipzigHonecker is replaced by Egon Krenz as SED General SecretaryThe Berlin Wall opensKohl presents his Ten-Point PlanThe Brandenburg Gate reopensOttawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talksFirst free elections to the GDR People’s ChamberFirst Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in BonnMonetary, economic and social union enters into forceArkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATOUnification Treaty signedTwo-plus-Four Treaty signed in MoscowGerman reunificationGerman–Polish Border Treaty signed

Brandenburger Tor, 30 Jahre Mauerfall (2019): New York-air, CC BY-SA 4.0

  1. Hungary opens its border to Austria for GDR citizens

  2. Monday demonstration in Leipzig

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

  4. November 1989

  5. The Berlin Wall opens

  8. Kohl presents his Ten-Point Plan

  9. 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

    Washington, D.C., 29 November 1989

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  10. The Brandenburg Gate reopens

  11. January 1990

  12. 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–

    Washington, D.C., 26 January 1990

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  13. February 1990

  14. 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

    [Washington,] 9 February 1990

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

  16. 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

    Washington, D. C., 19 February 1990

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

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

  19. Monetary, economic and social union enters into force

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

  21. Unification Treaty signed

  22. Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow

  23. German reunification

  24. German–Polish Border Treaty signed