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1990 Jan 5 - 1990 Feb 15
Prime Ministerial Private Office files

PREM19/2998
Germany (Internal situation in East Germany: policy towards German reunification) (Part 2A)

Source: TNA, PREM19 series
Release date: 2017 Jul 20
Classification: Secret
Page count: 299
Any docs withheld? 3
Themes: British relations with the Federal Republic of Germany, Foreign policy (USSR & successor states), Foreign policy (Western Europe - non-EU), European Union (general), German unification, 1989-90

PREM19/2998 - download whole file (PDF, 285.72 MB)

Selections from this file

Showing items 41 - 60 of 93

Date Value Title
90 Feb 4 Su Major Germany: No.10 letter to FCO (Hurd letter to MT) [MT agrees his approach to Kohl but underlines of agreeing main steps to unification with the Four Powers and the crucial importance of Germany remaining in NATO] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Key Germany: UKE Bonn telegram 137 to FCO (1644Z) ("FRG policy on the German Question: German political director gives read out on Genscher's talks with Baker") [Powell comment: "This is it: the Germans are going full tilt for reunification without waiting for anyone"; "Kastrup says that the situation in the GDR is now so near collapse that the Federal Government is embarking immediately on economic and monetary union. ... Kastrup claims that Baker is on board for this"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: UKREP Brussels telegram 306 to FCO (1908Z) (“Foreign Affairs Council: 5 February: Lunch: Germany”) [Genscher gave long account of GDR over lunch emphasising institutional collapse and strength of call for 'unification'] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: UKE Bonn telegram 139 to FCO (1813Z) (“German issues”) [opportunity for western allies to influence FRG policy] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: UKE Paris telegram 142 to FCO (1732Z) (“Discussion of German issues”) [French "worried about German priorities"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: UKE Washington telegram 295 to FCO (1730Z) (“Genscher's visit to Washington: 2 February”) ["further confirms US views that unification is on the fast track"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: UKE Bonn telegram 133 to FCO (0646Z) (“Germany and NATO”) ["SPD unsoundness on a united Germany's eventual relationship to NATO"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: UKE Bonn telegram 134 to FCO (0956Z) (“Your visit to Bonn 6 February”) [FRG government and public wholly preoccupied by unification] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: UKE Bonn telegram 136 to FCO (1531Z) (“Kohl's speech in Davos on 3 February”) ["Heavy stress on Europe as context within which Germans should see their future"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: FCO letter to No.10 (“German Unification”) [German press still misrepresenting government's position on German unification - suggested reply for MT to make to PMQ tomorrow] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 5 Mo Major Germany: Powell note for MT (Gorbachev announcements) [intention to bring forward party conference; "that a multi-party system exists de facto"; rank and file to get more say in party policy] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 6 Tu Major Germany: FCO telegram 85 to UKE Bonn (2110Z) (“Secretary of State's call on Herr Genscher: German unification”) ["Genscher anxious about instability in GDR. Reiterates continued FRG commitment to NATO and European Community and to strengthening the CSCE"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 6 Tu Major Germany: FCO letter to No.10 (“German Unification”) [request for material in reply to Gorbachev letter delivered 3 Feb - no formal reply needed; "We should develop contacts with our Allies before breaking new ground with the Russians"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 6 Tu Major Germany: Powell letter to FCO (“German issues”) [MT following telegrams closely; would like a Four Power meeting but understands US and French unlikely to agree; Four plus Two meeting would take time to negotiate, so would like tripartite meeting with France and the US, with Four plus Two subsequently] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 7 We Major Germany: FCO letter to No.10 (“Germany”) [possible names for MT's seminar] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 7 We Major Germany: UKE Moscow telegram 201 to FCO (0826Z) (“CPSU Plenum - Germany and Europe”) [Ligachev warning against "artificial acceleration of the unification of Germany"; Powell comment: "Ligachev's views, on Germany at least, seem sound!"] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 7 We Major Germany: Powell minute to MT ("Germany") ["You said that you would like to have an evening seminar and supper with some eminent historians and others to discuss Germany and Central Europe"; proposed guests, smaller than FCO with fewer 'experts'] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 8 Th Major Germany: UKREP Brussels telegram 349 to FCO (1140Z) (“EC/Germany”) [Commission Secretary-General Williamson briefed member states about Commission discussion on Germany] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 8 Th Major Germany: No.10 record of conversation (1700-1730Z) (MT, Hurd) ["Germany": MT "stressed the very great importance which she attached to organising collective discussion of the implications of reunification"; NATO; EC; CSCE] [declassified Jul 2017]
90 Feb 8 Th Major Germany: UKE Bonn telegram 153 to FCO (1203Z) (“FRG-GDR monetary union”) [offer of monetary union made under short notice under threat of imminent economic collapse in GDR] [declassified Jul 2017]