Chronicle

Draft memo by the Director of the 4th Department of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Janusz Fekecz

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

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

Extract from the Diary of the Protocol Officer at the Embassy of the FRG in Warsaw, Rüdiger Freiherr von Fritsch

Der Besuch Helmut Kohls in Warschau am 9. und 10. November 1989 wurde durch die spontane Rückkehr des Kanzlers nach Bonn unterbrochen, nachdem die DDR die innerdeutsche Grenze geöffnet hatte.

Rüdiger Freiherr von Fritsch-Seerhausen, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Embassy in Warsaw→–

Warsaw, 9 and 10 November 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 conversation by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

During the conversation between Foreign Minister Skubiszewski and Chancellor Kohl the latter’s decision to interrupt his visit to Poland and the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Polish-West German relations were discussed.

Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs→–

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→–

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

Bonn, 16 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.

Memorandum of conversation by the Austrian Federal Chancellery

Nur zwei Wochen nach der unbeabsichtigten Öffnung der Berliner Mauer hat der österreichische Bundeskanzler F. Vranitzky die DDR besucht. Ministerpräsident H. Modrow informierte über die aktuelle Situation in Ostdeutschland. Beide Regierungschefs nahmen zur Frage der Wiedervereinigung Stellung.

Eva Nowotny, Austria · Government→–

Vienna, 2 Dezember 1989

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

Observations on how popular support for reunification is pushing the pace faster than anyone anticipated.

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

Bonn, 6 December 1989

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

Memorandum of conversation by the Austrian Foreign Ministry

Im Zuge des Gegenbesuchs des ostdeutschen Ministerpräsidenten H. Modrow in Österreich traf sich der ostdeutsche Außenminister O. Fischer mit seinem österreichischen Amtskollegen A. Mock und sagte ihm, "dass es zur Vereinigung kommen werde".

Hans Peter Manz, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs→Austria · Embassy in Berlin, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Österreich · Botschaft in Bonn, Österreich · Delegation in West Berlin

Vienna, 30 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

Circular telegram by the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krzysztof Skubiszewski

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

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

Draft letter from the President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, to the Chancellor of the FRG, Helmut Kohl

President Bush wrote to express support for Chancellor Kohl’s efforts to reunify Germany while remaining in NATO amidst rapidly changing events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Also: Memorandum for Brent Scowcroft, 8.2.1990. Also: Memorandum for the President.

Robert D. Blackwill, USA United States of America · White House→Helmut Kohl, Germany · FRG Federal Republic of Germany · Government

[Washington,] 9 February 1990

Politscher Bericht des schweizerischen Botschafters in Bonn, Alfred Hohl

Analyse der drei grundlegenden Prozesse von historischer Bedeutung, die sich gegenwärtig in Europa abspielen: die europäische Integration, die Auflösung des Ostblocks und die damit verbundene Eliminierung der sicherheitspolitischen Bipolarität in Europa und die deutsche Wiedervereinigung.

Jürg Leutert, Swiss Embassy in Bonn→EDA · Politische Direktion · Zentrale Dienste · Politisches Sekretariat, EDA · Politische Direktion · Politische Abteilung I, Swiss Embassy in East Berlin, Swiss Embassy in London, Swiss Embassy in Moscow, Swiss Embassy in Paris, Swiss Embassy in Rome, Swiss Embassy in Washington

Bonn,  13. Februar 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

Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, Eduard Shevardnadze

Unequivocally accepting the right of the German people to proceed with the unification of their country, the main conditions to be observed in this process by the USSR and its Western partners are summarized and then discussed in detail.

Eduard Shevardnadze, USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics · Ministry of Foreign Affairs→–

Prague, 17 March 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

Telegram from the Israeli Ambassador in Bonn, Benjamin Navon, to the Israeli Foreign Ministry

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 Bonn→Israel · Foreign Ministry

Bonn, 16 April 1990

Interview by the Irish Times with the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, Eduard Shevardnaze

The USSR ’s approach towards the unification of Germany, considering it as a historic event meeting the aspiration of all German people, is laid out. However, it is underscored that the membership of the united Germany in NATO is unacceptable for the Soviet Union.

Eduard Shevardnadze, USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics · Ministry of Foreign Affairs→The Irish Times

[Moscow,] 26 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

Political report of the Turkish Consul General in Berlin, Akın Emregül, to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Summary of the decisions taken at the meeting between the Senate of West Berlin and the Government of East Berlin, who gathered in the City Hall of East Berlin for the first time in 42 years.

Akin Emregül, Turkey · Consulate General in Berlin→Turkey · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Berlin, June 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

Politischer Bericht des schweizerischen Botschafters in Ost-Berlin, Franz Birrer

Einschätzungen zur Auflösung der DDR und deren Anschluss an die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, wobei insbesondere die Beschleunigung des Wiedervereinigungsprozesses seit den Ereignissen an der Berliner Mauer und deren negativen Konsequenzen für die DDR betont werden.

Franz Birrer, Swiss Embassy in East Berlin→Federal Department for Foreign Affairs

Berlin/DDR, 2. Oktober 1990