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

Telegram from the Polish Ambassador in East Berlin, Janusz Obodowski, to the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krzysztof Skubiszewski

Report on the fall of the Berlin Wall and mass crossings by East German citizens into West Berlin.

Janusz Obodowski, Poland · Embassy in Berlin→Krysztof Skubiszweski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

East Berlin, 10 November 1989, 1.00 a.m.

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→–

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

Observations on the mood in East Berlin in the immediate aftermath of the opening of the Berlin Wall.

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

Bonn, 15 November 1989

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.

Letter from the Assistant Director-General for Eastern Europe, Yosef Govrin, to the Director-General of the Foreign Ministry, Reuven Merhav

East German overtures towards Israel, including public statements in press interviews. Govrin believes that the GDR sees Israel and world Jewry as potential allies against plans for German reunification.

Yosef Govrin, Israel · Foreign Ministry→Reuven Merhav, Israel · Foreign Ministry

Jerusalem, 17 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.

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

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

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 Canadian Department of External Affairs to the Canadian Embassy in Washington

Expressions of concerns that the Two Plus Four deal will squeeze Canada out of discussions about the future of Europe, notwithstanding the historic presence of Canadian forces in West Germany.

Canada · Global Affairs→Canada · Embassy in Washington

Ottawa, 21. 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

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

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 Affairs→Thomas Klestil, Alois Mock, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vienna, 18 July 1990

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 Affairs→Thomas Klestil, Alois Mock, Austria · Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vienna, 19 July 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

Letter from the Deputy Undersecretary of State (Defense) of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, John Weston, to the British Ambassador in Bonn, Sir Christopher Mallaby

Impressions of the last 48 hours before the signature of the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany.

John Weston, GB · Foreign Office→Christopher Mallaby, Great Britain · Embassy in Bonn

London, 17 September 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