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590 Document No. 103: Record of Telephone Conversation between Mikhail gorbachev and Helmut Kohl November 11, 1989 With the tearing down of the Wall, the West German chancellor takes the initiative in Europe, reaching out to both Moscow and Washington with assurances of stability in the two Germanys—the epicenter of the Cold War—while simultaneously pursuing his ultimately successful campaign for German unification. Here Kohl calls Gorbachev to express some of the same points made in the previous day’s telephone conversation with Bush: the need for more dynamic reforms in the GDR, the crossing back and forth of hundreds of thousands through the open Wall, and the potential impact of high numbers of East Germans migrating to the FRG. But Kohl’s core message is that he opposes destabilization in the GDR, and he indicates that he will check in with Gorbachev on all relevant topics immediately after his upcoming trip to Poland. This appears to reassure the Soviet leader, who mentions their previous “philosophical ” discussions about “relations between our two peoples” and how “mutual understanding is improving” as “we are getting closer to each other.” Gorbachev also applauds what he calls “a historic turn toward new relations, toward a new world;” but his worries show through when he urges Kohl to “use your authority, your political weight and influence to keep others within limits that are adequate for the time being…” On a day when banners calling for German unification are billowing on both sides of the former Wall, Gorbachev resorts to euphemisms about this touchy subject, and hears what he wants to hear in Kohl’s commitment to stability. The conversation took place at Helmut Kohl’s request. Kohl: I am glad to hear you, Mr. general Secretary, I would like to express my appreciation with regard to your address yesterday. It is a very good step. […] We want the people of the gDR to stay home, and we do not strive to have the entire gDR population move to the FRg. And not at all because, as some are claiming, we would not be able to resolve the problems that would result from that. For example, 230,000 people have moved from the gDR to the FRg this year, and all of them were accommodated. But a mass migration to the FRg would be an absurd development; we want the germans to be able to build their future at home. I would also like to inform you, even though the information is still preliminary , that today by 12 noon hundreds of thousands of people have crossed the gDR border. However, there is an impression that the majority are just visitors, and have no intention of staying in the FRg. The number of people who actually want to move to the FRg for permanent residency is much lower than the level we would be concerned about. Melyakova book.indb 590 2010.04.12. 16:21 591 I recently told you that we did not want a destabilization of the situation in the gDR. I am still of the same view. I do not know on what scale Egon Krenz really plans to carry out reforms. However, in a situation such as they have now, the gDR leadership should act in a more dynamic way. I would like to repeat that I appreciate your contacting me in connection with these events. Next week, immediately after I return from Poland, I would like to give you a call again if you do not have any objections, to discuss the new developments with you. Gorbachev: That would be good. I recall how we discussed relations between our two peoples, and general developments in Europe in the philosophical sense. As you can see, Mr. Chancellor, those discussions were not simple exercises in rhetoric. Deep changes are underway in the world. This also concerns the East European countries. One more example of that is the beginning of the reform process in Bulgaria. And changes are happening even faster than we could have imagined recently. Of course, the changes could take different forms in different countries, and reach a deeper level. However, to preserve stability it is important for all sides to act in a responsible way. All in all, I think that the basis for mutual understanding is improving. We are getting closer to each other. And this is very important. […] In particular, I recommended to Egon Krenz that the leadership of the republic should prepare reforms while carefully taking into...

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