Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

10 November 1989, 05:00 pm

Cde. Constantin Oancea, Deputy [Foreign Affairs] Minister,

Regarding the evolution of events in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), we would like to inform you of our observations made today, 10 November 1989:

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, B. Neugebauer, told me that the decision of the GDR government to open the border with the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and (West) Berlin was made on 31 October. During Egon Krenz's visit in Moscow (1 November), he received, in principle, the approval of [Mikhail] Gorbachev for the decision. On his return, [Krenz] met with the Soviet ambassador in Berlin, V. Kocemasov, and told him the date on which the decision will be implemented. Speaking about what might happen in regards with the relations between the two German states—economic integration, taking down the "wall," etc.—[Neugebauer] said "we are ready for anything." Neugebauer also informed me that the FRG Red Cross organization has contacted the GDR [Red Cross] to discuss modalities of repatriating approximately 25,000 GDR citizens that have emigrated to the FRG.

2. We [would like to] mention that [a representative of] the embassy of the People's Republic of Poland in Berlin suggested that the opening of the border [of the GDR] with the FRG came at a very inappropriate time for the Polish [government] since "it has compromised the visit [then underway] of Chancellor [Helmut] Kohl" to Warsaw. This is so since the ability of the FRG to provide economic aid and fiscal facilities to Poland is reduced proportionally to the aid given [by the FRG government] to the GDR.

On the other hand, the evolution of the events in the GDR, has brought the "German question" back into the public eye, and the Federal government will be less inclined to recognize explicitly and openly the western border of Poland. The fact that the two German states are moving loser together cannot be prevented, and, while the opening of the GDR-FRG border might cause some inconveniences for Poland, it must be recognized that this is a "historic event" and that no one can prevent a people from the realization of a national aspiration.

3. Meanwhile, after the complete opening of all border-crossing points at the East-West border, the traffic of people [crossing to the West] has gained extraordinary proportions. Some spontaneous demonstrations are still taking place especially in Berlin; the[ir] character remains constant, [with the participants] showing solidarity [with the previous demands], singing, and dancing. The international mass media in the two German states is broadcasting the events around the clock. Even though at the border crossing there is a constant congestion, order is being maintained.

(ss)[Ambassador] Gheorghe Caranfil