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 documentObservations on the political situation and internal developments in the GDR in the days prior to the opening of the Wall.
Egbert Jacobs, Netherlands · Embassy in BerlinHans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 8 November 1989
Read documentThe Berlin Wall opens
Description of a “historic night” of free travel between East and West Berlin.
Robert Corbett, British Military Government in GermanyDouglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office
West Berlin, 10 November 1989, 9.15 a.m.
Read documentReport on the fall of the Berlin Wall and mass crossings by East German citizens into West Berlin.
Janusz Obodowski, Poland · Embassy in BerlinKrysztof Skubiszweski, Poland · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 10 November 1989, 1.00 a.m.
Read documentNews obtained from local and Western press on 10th and 11th of November regarding the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Metin Mekik, Turkey · Embassy in East BerlinTurkey · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 11 November 1989, 1.00 p.m.
Read documentSummary 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 documentReport 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 BonnHans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bonn, 14 November 1989
Read documentObservations on the mood in East Berlin in the immediate aftermath of the opening of the Berlin Wall.
Thomas W. Delworth, Canada · Embassy in BerlinCanada · Global Affairs
Bonn, 15 November 1989
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
The Brandenburg Gate reopens
Concern at the perception of the UK attitude towards German unity is expressed.
Christopher Mallaby, Great Britain · Embassy in BonnDouglas R. Hurd, GB · Foreign Office
Bonn, 5 January 1990, 4.41 p.m.
Read documentThe 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
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 BonnEDA · 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
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 documentReport regarding the joint meeting held by the Mayors of East and West Berlin.
Metin Mekik, Turkey · Embassy in East BerlinTurkey · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 13 June 1990, 12.00
Read documentReport concerning the “Draft providing the annexation of German Democratic Republic to the territory of Federal Republic of Germany”, submitted by the DSU Party.
Metin Mekik, Turkey · Embassy in East BerlinTurkey · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 18 June 1990, 5.00 p.m.
Read documentPress statement issued by Matthias Gehler, Spokesperson of the Government of the German Democratic Republic, regarding the election dates.
Metin Mekik, Turkey · Embassy in East BerlinTurkey · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 28 June 1990, 3.30 p.m.
Read documentMonetary, economic and social union enters into force
Report on the state of affairs in the GDR, where people appear pleased with the prospect of reunification and see no reason to stretch out the country’s existence. These mental changes have had a profound impact on the internal political situation in the GDR.
Egbert Jacobs, Netherlands · Embassy in BerlinHans van den Broek, Netherlands · Ministry of Foreign Affairs
East Berlin, 4 July 1990
Read documentArkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
Unification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
German–Polish Border Treaty signed