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Document No. 152: Memorandum of Eppelmann–Iazov Conversation, April 29, 1990 ——————————————————————————————————————————— One of many striking signs of how much had changed in Eastern Europe by early 1990 was the fact that the first non-communist defense minister to be appointed in the GDR, Rainer Eppelmann, was a Protestant minister and a pacifist. Here he discusses the future of East Germany’s army with his staunchly communist Soviet counterpart, Dmitrii Iazov. Eppelmann hopes that Germany can serve as a bridge between the two alliances, and expects, among other things, that Soviet forces will remain in the GDR, with West Germanytakingovertheirfinancialsupport.IazovremarksthatmaintainingtwoGerman armies in one Germany is unrealistic, and opposes Eduard Shevardnadze’s idea that a united Germany should be a member of both NATO and the Warsaw Pact. He also assumes, as did many observers, that German unification would take at least five years. In fact it was accomplished just seven months after this meeting. ____________________ […] At the beginning, Minister [for Disarmament and Defense Rainer] Eppelmann expressed his opinion that it was the courageous and far-sighted policy of the Soviet Union, especially by General Secretary Gorbachev, which facilitated the current developments in the GDR and in Germany as a whole. The unification process of the two countries is currently occurring faster than the establishment of a collective security structure. However, this process cannot be stopped anymore without millions of citizens leaving the country [GDR]. Therefore immediate solutions acceptable to the Soviet Union, the United States, the other countries, and the Germans areneeded.ThisiswhywecurrentlyconsiderapolicyofintegratingaunifiedGermany into NATO as realistic. But we demand that there be no extension of NATO beyond the Elbe river, that no NATO troops be stationed on GDR territory, and that there be no unification according to Article 23 [of the German Basic Law] unless the structure and strategies of NATO have previously been revised. The NVA [East German National People’s Army] will be heavily reduced after Vienna I,34 but maintain its independent leadership. And the NVA is not supposed to receive NATO weaponry. As long as NATO and the Warsaw Treaty exist, there will also be two German armies. The GDR abides by the treaties it has entered into. However, the situation demands a change in economic and military relations. All these issues have to be dealt with by agreement. Security encompassing both alliances must be achieved. The unification process in Germany has to take into account the legitimate security interests of all European countries, especially the Soviet Union. 34 The conclusion of the first stage of the CFE negotiations on reductions of conventional forces. 670 A unified Germany must be a step towards a unified Europe. This means there should be no German Sonderweg.35 European development amounts to having a common security develop from the CSCE process. Preconditions could be: – Regular meetings of the foreign ministers of the CSCE countries and the United States (twice annually). – Also regular meetings of the ministers for defense of these countries. – Establishment of joint commissions. – Creation of arbitration commissions. – Conclusion of a security treaty following the Two-plus-Four Negotiations. Minister Iazov replied by saying, “Those who want to dance have to pay the piper.” He wanted to know who would pay for the NVA, and who would determine what it would be permitted to do, or not. The Soviet Union will consistently favor a policy avoiding destabilization. However, this prospect will not offer his country any guarantee . The existence of two armies in one country is not realistic. Peace in the world depends on stability in Europe. A strengthening of NATO would automatically have the effect of weakening the Warsaw Treaty, and would inevitably lead to destabilization . The German people have a right to unification. The Soviet Union recognizes this right, however, according to the principle of equal security for both sides. The results of World War II must be legally certified. Current negotiations in Vienna are not balanced. The Soviet Union started from certain figures on troop strength. It would agree to the stationing of 195,000 Soviet troops within the GDR, and the same number for the United States within the FRG. This, however, does not take into account the other contingents of troops stationed within the FRG. Perestroika encouraged the readiness for disarmament within the countries of the Warsaw Treaty and resulted in unilateral troop reductions. The Western side has not taken any appropriate steps so far. However, NATO’s predominance increases the...

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