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
Summary of the press statement made by Chancellor Kohl following his visit to Berlin, concerning the developments in GDR.
Reşat Arım, Turkey · Embassy in BonnTurkey · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bonn, 11 November 1989, 10.00 a.m.
Read documentReflections on political life in the GDR in the immediate aftermath of the opening of the Berlin Wall.
Nigel Broomfield, GB · Embassy in BerlinDouglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office
East Berlin, 13 November 1989, 9.10 a.m.
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
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 CologneBolesław 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.
Read documentInformation 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 ParisGermany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Federal Foreign Office
Paris, 18 Dezember 1989, 3.54 p.m.
Read documentThe Brandenburg Gate reopens
The heads of Polish diplomatic missions abroad are given the following instruction: Polish support for German reunification is made contingent upon Germany recognizing Poland’s western border along the Oder and Lusatian Neisse Rivers.
Krysztof Skubiszweski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs–
Warsaw, 1 February 1990
Read documentOttawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks
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
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
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.
Read documentMonetary, economic and social union enters into force
Arkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
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 BerlinCanada · Global Affairs
Bonn, 23 July 1990
Read documentUnification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
German–Polish Border Treaty signed