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Horst Teltschik diary

Cold War: Horst Teltschik diary (Germans think MT playing for time at NATO summit) [translation]

Document type: Declassified documents
Source: Horst Teltschik, 329 Tage: Innenansichten der Einigung [329 Days: Inside Views of the Unification] , Siedler Publishing 1991
Editorial comments: Translated specially for www.margaretthatcher.org. Dr Teltschik was Helmut Kohl’s closest foreign policy adviser.
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 127
Themes: Defence (general), Foreign policy (USA), Foreign policy (USSR & successor states), Foreign policy (Western Europe - non-EU)

Monday, 4 December 1989

Sixteen Heads of State and Government are gathered in the great assembly hall of NATO headquarters. ....

The Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers expresses great understanding for Germany and agreement with the Bush declaration. For him, the Federal Chancellor has convincingly set out the perspective of Germany's future. Andreotti by comparison surveys the psychological aspects connected with the overcoming of the partition of Europe. Margaret Thatcher expresses understanding for Andreotti's statements about the application of the right of self-determination. She is thankful that Helmut Kohl has proposed no timetable for the unification of Germany and wants to hold firm to NATO and the EC. The statements of President Bush are so fundamental that she wants to examine them carefully first. She seems to be playing for time.