Chronicle

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 Affairs→Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vienna, 19 September 1989

Information Memorandum for the United States Secretary of State, James A. Baker

Preliminary assessment of the implications of the dramatic events in East Berlin for US policy in Europe.

USA United States of America · State Department→James Baker, USA United States of America · State Department

Washington, D.C., 10 November 1989

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 Affairs→Thomas Klestil, Alois Mock, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vienna, 10 November 1989

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 Bonn→Hans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bonn, 14 November 1989

Minutes of the 34th Meeting of the Cabinet held at 10 Downing Street on 15 November 1989 at 9.30 a.m.

The events in the GDR were discussed.

Great Britain · Government→–

Telegram from the Canadian Ambassador in Bonn, Thomas W. Delworth, to the Canadian Department of External Affairs

Observations on the mood in East Berlin in the immediate aftermath of the opening of the Berlin Wall.

Thomas W. Delworth, Canada · Embassy in Berlin→Canada · Global Affairs

Bonn, 15 November 1989

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 House→George Herbert Walker Bush, USA United States of America · White House

Washington, D.C., 29 November 1989

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 Cologne→Bolesław Kulski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Immediately CologneThe Polish Embassy in the FRG Federal Republic of Germany was situated in Cologne., 29 November 1989, 6.20 p.m.

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 Paris→Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office

Paris, 18 Dezember 1989, 3.54 p.m.

Telegram from the British Ambassador in Bonn, Sir Christopher Mallaby, to the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Douglas Hurd

Concern at the perception of the UK attitude towards German unity is expressed.

Christopher Mallaby, Great Britain · Embassy in Bonn→Douglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office

Bonn, 5 January 1990, 4.41 p.m.

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

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 Office→Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office

Bonn, 31 January 1990

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 Bonn→Hans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Defence

Bonn, 8 February 1990

Telegram from the Canadian Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs, de Montigny Marchand

Observations on the corridor conversations during the Open Skies Conference in Ottawa in February 1990.

Jeremy K. B. Kinsmann, Canada · Global Affairs→–

Ottawa, 15 February 1990

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 House→George Herbert Walker Bush, USA United States of America · White House

Washington, D. C., 19 February 1990

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 Bonn→Israel · Foreign Ministry

Bonn, 20 February 1990

Memo by the Ambassador of the Soviet Union in East Berlin, Vyacheslav Kochemasov

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

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 Bonn→Federal Department for Foreign Affairs

Bonn, 10. April 1990

Guidance Telegram from the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Douglas Hurd, to British Representatives Overseas

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.

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→–

West Berlin, 28 May 1990

Telegram from the Canadian Ambassador in Bonn, Thomas W. Delworth, to the Canadian Department of External Affairs

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 Berlin→Canada · Global Affairs

Bonn, 23 July 1990

Memo for the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, Eduard Shevardnaze

The 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

Letter from the Deputy Undersecretary of State (Defense) of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, John Weston, to the British Ambassador in Bonn, Sir Christopher Mallaby

Impressions of the last 48 hours before the signature of the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany.

John Weston, GB · Foreign Office→Christopher Mallaby, Great Britain · Embassy in Bonn

London, 17 September 1990

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 Affairs→Poland · Government

Warsaw, 11 November 1990