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
The 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 documentFirst Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn
Monetary, economic and social union enters into force
Arkhyz, 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