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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. September 1989

  2. Hungary opens its border to Austria for GDR citizens

  4. 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

    Vienna, 19 September 1989

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  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 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

    Bonn, 16 November 1989

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  10. Kohl presents his Ten-Point Plan

  11. 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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  12. The Brandenburg Gate reopens

  13. January 1990

  14. 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

    Bonn, 31 January 1990

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  15. February 1990

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

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

  19. May 1990

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

  21. 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–

    West Berlin, 28 May 1990

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  22. July 1990

  23. Monetary, economic and social union enters into force

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

  25. 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

    Vienna, 18 July 1990

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  26. 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

    Vienna, 19 July 1990

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  27. August 1990

  29. Unification Treaty signed

  30. Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow

  31. German reunification

  32. German–Polish Border Treaty signed