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
Information concerning Polish-West German talks about over 50 East German citizens staying at the West German Embassy in Warsaw. How possible solutions could impact Poland’s relations with the GDR and the FRG are discussed.
Janusz Fekecz, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs–
Warsaw, 14 September 1989
Read documentBereits 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
Read documentMonday demonstration in Leipzig
Honecker is replaced by Egon Krenz as SED General Secretary
The Berlin Wall opens
Preliminary assessment of the implications of the dramatic events in East Berlin for US policy in Europe.
USA United States of America · State DepartmentJames Baker, USA United States of America · State Department
Washington, D.C., 10 November 1989
Read documentAm 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
Vienna, 10 November 1989
Read documentInformations, imprégnées par l'analyse de la situation avec une perspective suisse, en vue d'une conférence de presse de René Felber sur les événements survenus à Berlin.
EDA · Politische Direktion · Zentrale Dienste · Politisches SekretariatRené Felber, Federal Department for Foreign Affairs
Berne, 14 novembre 1989
Read documentDie 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
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
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
Read documentBericht 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
Bonn, 18 December 1989
Read documentThe Brandenburg Gate reopens
Ottawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks
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
Read documentFirst free elections to the GDR People’s Chamber
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
Read documentFirst Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn
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
Read documentMonetary, economic and social union enters into force
Arkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
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
Read documentThe 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
Read documentUnification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
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
Warsaw, 11 November 1990
Read documentGerman–Polish Border Treaty signed