Cold War International History Project
Virtual Archive 2.0

End of the Cold War

Minutes of Conversation between Todor Zhivkov – Leonid I. Brezhnev, Voden Residence [Bulgaria]
September 20 1973 - The two leaders discuss trade agreements, the situation in the Balkans, and policies toward Yugoslavia, Romania and the PRC.
 
Note on Proposals for Meetings between Chairman of the Council of State and Representatives of Opinion Making Social Groups
October 01 1986 - Note on proposals for meetings between Chairman of the Council of State and Representatives of Opinion Making Social Groups regarding dialogue, mediation and questions regarding the set-up of such meetings
 
Letter of Lech Walesa to the Council of State
October 02 1986 - Letter of Lech Walesa to the Council of State calling for the end of martial law and the establishment of union pluralism
 
Memorandum of Conversation [Document No. 3]
October 18 1986 - Memorandum of conversation regarding the proposed Consultative Council and its goal to increase trust and develop recommendations and the inclusion of non-party people and members of the Catholic church
 
Weekly State Security Review
February 09 1987 - Based on intelligence sources, the Minister of Internal Affairs Dimitar Stoyanov reports on domestic political developments. Among the issues covered in the memo are the domestic repercussions of the January 1987 Plenary Session of the CPSU Central Committee, as well as the Western allegations of human rights violations in regard to Bulgaria’s policy toward the Turkish ethnic minority.
 
Information from D. Stoyanov to M. Balev re: Propaganda against People's Republic of Bulgaria
April 24 1987 - The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dimitar Stoyanov, reports on the coverage in the Western media of the alleged repressions against six Bulgarian dissidents who sent an open letter to the 1986 CSCE Meeting in Vienna. The letter claimed that Bulgaria does not comply fully with the Helsinki Accords on Human Rights of 1975. The Minister reports that although some measures have been taken to neutralize the activities of this particular dissident group, the official investigation has been suspended as there was a risk of further tarnishing Bulgaria’s image abroad.
 
From Gr. Shopov to T. Zhivkov re: European Economic Community's evaluation of the results of CC CPSU June Plenum
August 07 1987 - Based on intelligence reports, the Minister of the Internal Affairs, Grigor Shopov, informs Todor Zhivkov about the European Economic Community’s assessment of the recent June 1987 Plenary Session of the CPSU Central Committee. According to the information, Brussels seems pleased with Gorbachev’s efforts to gather party support for the radical reforms he has recently announced.
 
[Polish Government] Report, “A Synthesis of the Domestic Situation and the West’s Activity,” Warsaw
August 28 1987 - [Polish Government] Report, “A Synthesis of the Domestic Situation and the West’s Activity,” regarding the economic crisis, liberalization measures, growing discontent, American support of Solidarity and opinions from the West on the situation in Poland
 
Information from D. Stoyanov to G. Yordanov re: discontent among Sofia University employers and professors
October 13 1987 - The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dimitar Stoyanov, informs the Education Minister, Georgi Yordanov, about intelligence reports regarding the rise of discontent among professors, employees and students at the University of Sofia.
 
A speech by Mr. Józef Czyrek at a founding meeting of the Polish Club of International Relations
May 11 1988 - A speech by Mr. Józef Czyrek at a founding meeting of the Polish Club of International Relations discussing the objectives of the Club – social support, dialogue and public evaluation
 
Weekly State Security Review from the Ministry of the Interior to T. Zhivkov
June 20 1988 - The Minister of the Internal Affairs, Dimitar Stoyanov, briefs Todor Zhivkov on the weekly domestic developments. Among the most pressing issues is the ongoing popular discontent in Ruse triggered by the unresolved problems with industrial pollution in the city. Another issue is the opposition of the Turkish minority to the revival process.
 
Report on a Working Conference [of Opposition Leaders]
September 01 1988 - Report on a Working Conference [of Opposition Leaders] regarding emphasis that should be placed on the legal registration of Solidarity and the status of social participants in the Roundtable discussions
 
Memorandum by Lech Walesa, “On Starting the Roundtable Talks”
September 04 1988 - Memorandum by Lech Walesa, “On Starting the Roundtable Talks,” regarding topics for negotiations
 
Report from Andrzej Stelmachowski to Lech Walesa
September 06 1988 - Report from Andrzej Stelmachowski to Lech Walesa regarding his meeting with Czyrek and their conversation on Czyrek’s vision of the Roundtable discussions including questions about Solidarity’s position in the political system if it were to be legalized
 
Letter from Andrzej Stelmachowski to Lech Walesa
October 01 1988 - Letter from Andrzej Stelmachowski to Lech Walesa discussing the proposed Roundtable talks, and the promise that subsequent meetings would not lead to arrests
 
Georgy Shakhnazarov’s Preparatory Notes for Mikhail Gorbachev for the Meeting of the Politburo
October 06 1988 - Georgy Shakhnazarov’s Preparatory Notes for Mikhail Gorbachev for the Meeting of the Politburo regarding the need for change in socialist countries and how the Soviet Union should respond to instability in these countries
 
Letter from A. Stelmachowski to Józef Glemp, Primate of Poland
October 24 1988 - Letter from A. Stelmachowski to Józef Glemp, Primate of Poland, discussing problems with the proposed Roundtable Talks, including false charges against Solidarity and changes to previously determined plans. Stelmachowski requests an explanation from Glemp of the prospects of realizing the goals of the proposed reforms.
 
Excerpt from Anatoly Chernyaev’s Diary
October 28 1988 - Excerpt from Anatoly Chernyaev’s Diary discussing a meeting between Kohl and Gorbachev and praising Gorbachev’s boldness for declaring a ‘new thinking’ and creating reforms
 
Basic Contents of the meeting of the working group on peace treaty issues, Tokyo
December 20 1988 - Basic contents of the meeting of the working group on peace treaty issues, Tokyo, regarding the Kurile and Sakhalin islands and territorial disputes
 
Letter from A. Stelmachowski to Lech Walesa
January 20 1989 - Letter from A. Stelmachowski to Lech Walesa suggesting more open Union structures and advocating a small body of representatives to take part in the Roundtable discussions
 
Anatoly Chernyaev’s Notes from the Politburo Session
January 21 1989 - Anatoly Chernyaev’s notes from the Politburo session on comments by Gorbachev on his meeting with the Trilateral Commission regarding the integration of the Soviet Union into the world economy and the possibility of a united Europe
 
Minutes of the Meeting of the HSWP CC Political Committee
January 31 1989 - Minutes of the meeting of the HSWP CC Political Committee on the Historical Subcommittee of the Central Committee’s description of the events of 1956 as a people’s uprising rather than a counterrevolution. Editor's note: On 23 June 1988, the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party Central Committee established a committee to analyze Hungary’s political, economic and social development during the preceding thirty years. The panel, headed by Imre Pozsgay, 5 a politburo member and minister of state, included party officials and social scientists. After several months of examining pertinent archival documents, the Historical Subcommittee (one of four working groups) completed and discussed its final report at its meeting on 27 January 1989. Most sensationally, the report described what occurred in 1956 in Hungary as not a “counterrevolution” (as Moscow and the regime it installed in Budapest headed by János Kádár had long insisted) but a people’s uprising. This very point was announced by Imre Pozsgay in an interview on both the morning news program and the next day, on the most popular political journal of Hungarian Radio, “168 hours,” without any prior consultation with the political leadership. The issue triggered a serious crisis in the Party and eventually served as a very important catalyst in the transition process. The following excerpt reflects the first reaction of the Politburo members. (EXCERPT)
 
Memorandum from the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPSU to Alexander Yakovlev
February 01 1989 - Memorandum from the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPSU to Alexander Yakovlev regarding Soviet relations with European socialist countries during the transitional period for Eastern European countries
 
Memorandum to Alexander Yakovlev from the Bogomolov Commission (Marina Sylvanskaya)
February 01 1989 - Memorandum to Alexander Yakovlev from the Bogomolov Commission (Marina Sylvanskaya) describing the changes in invidividual Eastern European countries and their impact on the Soviet Union
 
Letter from Andrzej Slowik to “Roundtable” Chair Wladyslaw Findeisen
February 12 1989 - Letter from Andrzej Slowik to “Roundtable” Chair Wladyslaw Findeisen asking for diversification and expansion of the Roundtable group even if it leads to difficulties in negotiations, since it would permit wider societal acceptance of decisions
 
“The Political Processes in the European Socialist Countries and the Proposals for Our Practical Steps Considering the Situation Which Has Arisen in Them”
February 24 1989 - “The Political Processes in the European Socialist Countries and the Proposals for Our Practical Steps Considering the Situation Which Has Arisen in Them” – an evaluation by the Soviet Union of changes in the Eastern European countries and measures that need to be taken in order to maintain ties with these countries
 
Papers of the Working Group of the National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity"
February 25 1989 - Papers of the Working Group of the National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarity,” regarding the format for the continuation of the Solidarity movement – whether it be relegalized or legalized, as well as discussion on the position of workers’ self-government
 
Memorandum of Conversation between M.S. Gorbachev and HSWP General Secretary Károly Grósz,14, Moscow
March 01 1989 - Memorandum of Conversation between M.S. Gorbachev and HSWP General Secretary Károly Grósz, discussing how to define the events of 1956 and the extent of political transition in Hungary
 
Record of Conversation between President M. S. Gorbachev and Miklós Németh 12 , Member of the HSWP CC Politburo, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Hungary
March 03 1989 - Record of Conversation between President M. S. Gorbachev and Miklós Németh 12 , Member of the HSWP CC Politburo, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Hungary regarding the establishment of a multiparty system in Hungary
 
Transcript of the Discussions at the Meeting of the Working Group on the Peace Treaty, Tokyo
March 21 1989 - Transcript of the discussions at the meeting of the Working Group on the Peace Treaty, Tokyo, regarding ownership of the Kurile islands and Japanese and Soviet claims of these islands
 
CC BCP Secretariat Resolution re: Termination the jamming of foreign broadcasts for Bulgaria
March 23 1989 - The BCP CC passes a decision to stop jamming the broadcast of Western radio stations airing programs in Bulgarian. This decision however does not apply to Radio Ankara, whose Bulgarian programming continues to be blocked.
 
Excerpt from Anatoly Chernyaev’s Diary
May 02 1989 - Excerpt from Anatoly Chernyaev’s Diary expressing worry at Gorbachev’s lack of conception of the direction in which the Soviet Union is moving
 
Information Note of Romanian Embassy from Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs
May 23 1989 - Information Note of Romanian Embassy from Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Chinese position on Gorbachev’s visit to China and the resumption of Sino-Soviet relations as indicative of future closer bilateral relations between the two countries
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
May 26 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the possible power struggle within the Chinese government and attitudes towards the demands of the students
 
Information Note from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1)
June 03 1989 - Information from the Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the measures to be taken by the Chinese government as a result of the Tiananmen Square crisis and the possible direction in which China will move as a result
 
Information Note from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2)
June 03 1989 - Information Note from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the situation in Tiananmen Square and the return of students to classes
 
Telegram from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1)
June 04 1989 - Telegram from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the increased mobilization of tanks, armored trucks and paratroopers to put down the protest in Tiananmen Square, with the reported number of deaths and injuries
 
Telegram from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2)
June 04 1989 - Telegram from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the events in Beijing as troops attempted to reach Tiananmen Square to end the protest
 
Telegram from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (3)
June 04 1989 - Telegram from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the return of several PRC officials who had been absent for a number of weeks
 
Information Note from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs
June 04 1989 - Information Note from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the routing of demonstrators from Tiananmen Square
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (4)
June 04 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the arrival of 25,000 soldies to Tiananmen Square and the removal of students from the Square
 
Information Note of Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
June 07 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the situation in Beijing in the aftermath of Tiananmen Square and the institution of restrictive measures under the rubric of martial law
 
Agreement about the Commencement of Substantial Political Negotiations between the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party, the Members of the Opposition Roundtable and the Organizations of the Third Side
June 10 1989 - The agreement was signed at the first plenary meeting of the National Roundtable talks. The document put on record the legal framework and the conditions of the subsequent tripartite negotiations which lasted until 18 September. At the next meeting, on 21 June, two intermediate-level committees were established for political and social-economic issues, each having six working subcommittees in which the bulk of the legal work leading to the establishment of parliamentary democracy in Hungary was carried out. Between March and June the crucial question of the transition was whether the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party [HSWP] was willing to eventually accept the fact that it would have to negotiate with a unified opposition represented by the Opposition Roundtable [ORT]. Although the HSWP leadership tried to do everything it could to prevent this, by the beginning of June it gave up its previous position. However, the opposition parties had to make a serious concession too, since it was a precondition of the HSWP in agreeing to start official negotiations on the political transition with the ORT that the talks should be tripartite. The “third side” included mass organizations and civil associations, all of which were supporters of the HSWP and/or represented left-wing political ideas.
 
Memorandum of Conversation between President Mikhail Gorbachev, President Rezsö Nyers, and General Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party (HSWP), Károly Grósz, Moscow
July 01 1989 - Memorandum of conversation between President Mikhail Gorbachev, President Rezsö Nyers, and General Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party (HSWP), Károly Grósz, Moscow regarding the publicized withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary and the commemoration of Hungarians who died on the Soviet Front or in POW camps in WWII
 
Memorandum from Foreign Minister Petar Mladenov to the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party
July 12 1989 - Memorandum from Foreign Minister Petar Mladenov to the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party regarding a meeting of leaders of the Warsaw Pact countries to determine how to proceed with enhancing contacts with the West and pursuing disarmament
 
Minutes of the Meeting of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party [HSWP] CC Political Executive Committee
July 24 1989 - Minutes of the meeting of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party [HSWP] CC Political Executive Committee discussing whether to hold elections in September or wait until November
 
Record of Conversation between Representatives of the Opposition Roundtable and Boris Stukalin, Soviet Ambassador in Budapest
August 18 1989 - Record of conversation between representatives of the Opposition Roundtable and Boris Stukalin, Soviet Ambassador in Budapest involving a speech made by Viktor Orbán regarding pessimism towards the negotiations
 
Czechoslovak Secret Police (StB) Memorandum, “Information Regarding the Situation in the CSSR up to 20 August 1989”
August 20 1989 - Czechoslovak Secret Police (StB) Memorandum, “Information Regarding the Situation in the CSSR up to 20 August 1989”, including the protest marches, international media attention and the intention of protestors to arrive from Poland and Hungary resulting in heightened precautions at borders
 
Record of a Meeting in Berlin between East Germans and Cubans
September 03 1989 - Record of a meeting in Berlin between East Germans and Cubans regarding the crises in Panama and the European socialist countries and reaffirming East German-Cuban friendship
 
Excerpt From the Diary of Anatoly Chernyaev
October 05 1989 - Excerpt from the diary of Anatoly Chernyaev discussing Gorbachev’s upcoming visit to the GDR to celebrate its 40th anniversary, and Chernyaev’s comments on the collapse of the socialist system
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
October 09 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding protests in East Berlin on the anniversary of the GDR calling for following the model of the Soviet Union and liberalizing
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
October 11 1989 - Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the protests, concern on the part of the intelligentsia regarding the lack of dialogue with the population, and concern on the part of the SED about possible strikes
 
Information Note of the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
October 20 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the election of Egon Krenz as Secretary General of the SED and his efforts to create open dialogue, reform the system and initiate changes in the GDR system
 
Letter from Foreign Minister Petar Mladenov to the BCP CC
October 24 1989 - Letter from Foreign Minister Petar Mladenov to the BCP CC criticizing Todor Zhivkov for bringing Bulgaria into economic crisis and doing everything to keep his family in power
 
Information Note from Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
October 31 1989 - Note from Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding peaceful street protests in the GDR, the opnening of dialogue between government and citizens, and the serious effort to enact reforms, including a cessation of criticizing West Germany in the media
 
Memorandum of Conversation Between Egon Krenz, Secretary General of the Socialist Unity Party (SED), and Mikhail S. Gorbachev, Secretary General of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU)
November 01 1989 - Memorandum of Conversation Between Egon Krenz, Secretary General of the Socialist Unity Party (SED), and Mikhail S. Gorbachev, Secretary General of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) regarding the economic and political crises in the GDR and measures to alleviate them
 
Soviet Record of Conversation between M. S. Gorbachev and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), Egon Krenz
November 01 1989 - Soviet record of conversation between M. S. Gorbachev and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), Egon Krenz concerning the possible reunification of Germany and issues faced by both the Soviet Union and the GDR
 
Cover Note from Alexander Schalck to Egon Krenz
November 06 1989 - Note from Alexander Schalck to Egon Krenz and attached memorandum of conversation regarding cooperation between GDR and FRG
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Comrade Oskar Fischer and the Soviet Ambassador V[yacheslav] I. Kochemassov
November 07 1989 - Memorandum of Conversation between Comrade Oskar Fischer and the Soviet Ambassador V[yacheslav] I. Kochemassov discussing measures to be taken to prevent the permanent exit of GDR citizens via the CSSR
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 07 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding continuing protests in the streets, the proposal to allow freedom to travel to foreign countries, the demands by the population for the removal of the Politburo and all ministers, and the movement towards the economic integration of the GDR with the FRG
 
Letter from Alexander Schalck to Egon Krenz
November 07 1989 - Letter from Alexander Schalck to Egon Krenz regarding conversation with FRG government officials stating that the FRG Chancellor sees cooperation between FRG and GDR if GDR guarantees free elections and permission of opposition groups
 
Minutes No. 49 of the Meeting of the SED Politburo
November 07 1989 - Minutes No. 49 of the Meeting of the SED Politburo concerning situation regarding GDR citizens leaving the country
 
Transcript of the Tenth Session of the SED Central Committee
November 09 1989 - Transcript of the Tenth Session of the SED Central Committee regarding the issue of the exit of GDR citizens through Czechoslovakia
 
Material for the Session/For Circulation in the Council of Ministers, Draft: Temporary Transition Rules for Travel and Permanent Exit from the GDR, Berlin
November 09 1989 - Material for the session/for circulation in the Council of Ministers, Draft: Temporary Transition Rules for Travel and Permanent Exit from the GDR, Berlin, referring to GDR citizens exiting via Czechoslovakia
 
Günter Schabowski’s Press Conference in the GDR International Press Center
November 09 1989 - Günter Schabowski’s Press Conference in the GDR International Press Center regarding the travel law allowing exit of GDR citizens
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 09 1989 - Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding changes in the structure of the SED and demands by the population for wider changes in the political system
 
Verbal Message from Mikhail Gorbachev to Helmut Kohl
November 10 1989 - Verbal message from Mikhail Gorbachev to Helmut Kohl regarding the GDR’s decision to allow unrestricted travel to the FRG
 
Verbal Message from Mikhail Gorbachev to François Mitterand, Margaret Thatcher and George Bush
November 10 1989 - Verbal message from Mikhail Gorbachev to François Mitterand, Margaret Thatcher and George Bush regarding message sent to Chancellor Kohl appealing for measures to be taken to prevent destabilization of the situation
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 10 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the opening of the borders by the GDR with the FRG and West Berlin
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 10 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the approval by the CC of the CPB of the resignation of Todor Zhivkov
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 10 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the opening of borders between the GDR and the FRG and the celebration of citizens on both sides of the wall with the continuing maintenance of order
 
Excerpt from Anatoly Chernyaev’s Diary
November 10 1989 - Excerpt from Anatoly Chernyaev’s Diary following the fall of the Berlin War, praising Gorbachev’s vision
 
Information about the Content of a Telephone Conversation between Mikhail Gorbachev and Helmut Kohl
November 11 1989 - Information about the Content of a Telephone Conversation between Mikhail Gorbachev and Helmut Kohl regarding discussing the desire to see reforms in the GDR occur in a calm and non-chaotic manner
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 13 1989 - Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the change in leadership in the CPB and plans to deal with organizational questions as well as for Bulgaria and the Soviet Union to develop bilateral relations
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (fragment)
November 15 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (fragment) regarding the plenum of the CC of the CPB to decide organizational matters
 
Transcript of the Plenum Session of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party
November 16 1989 - Transcript of the Plenum Session of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party regarding dismissals from government posts, changes in the Communist party structure and criticism of Todor Zhivkov
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 18 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding plans for formulation of a new constitution and the reorganization of the party structure in Bulgaria, including an active role for parliament and an investigation of the use of funds by Todor Zhivkov’s family
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 20 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the state of the internal political situation in the GDR, the uncertainty of the future of the GDR, protests by citizens of the GDR in front of the Romanian embassy and the need for change in Romanian apporaches to relations with the GDR
 
The Civic Forum’s Exposition of its Position in Public Life with a Call for Nonviolence, Tolerance and Dialogue, Prague
November 21 1989 - The Civic Forum’s Exposition of its Position in Public Life with a Call for Nonviolence, Tolerance and Dialogue, Prague
 
Letter from the Civic Forum to US President George Bush and USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev
November 21 1989 - Letter from the Civic Forum to US President George Bush and USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev calling for condemnation of the 1968 events
 
The Civic Forum’s Position on the Negotiations of its Representatives with Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec, Prague
November 21 1989 - The Civic Forum’s Position on the Negotiations of its Representatives with Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec, Prague
 
Letter from the Civic Forum to US President George Bush and USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev
November 21 1989 - Letter from the Civic Forum to US President George Bush and USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev calling for condemnation of the 1968 events
 
The Civic Forum’s Exposition of its Position in Public Life with a Call for Nonviolence, Tolerance and Dialogue, Prague
November 21 1989 - The Civic Forum’s Exposition of its Position in Public Life with a Call for Nonviolence, Tolerance and Dialogue, Prague
 
The Declaration of Civic Forum Representative Václav Havel on Wenceslas Square, Prague
November 23 1989 - The Declaration of Civic Forum Representative Václav Havel on Wenceslas Square, Prague calling for a general strike
 
Draft Thesis of the Program of the Civic Forum, Prague
November 24 1989 - Draft thesis of the program of the civic forum, Prague advocating a market economy to help remedy the ‘vassal’ system of the Communist Party and the crisis facing Czechoslovakia
 
Internal Organization of the Civic Forum
November 28 1989 - Internal organization of the Civic Forum – structure, function, and areas of concern
 
The Position of the Civic Forum and Public Against Violence Toward the Negotiations with Czechoslovak Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec, Prague
November 28 1989 - The Position of the Civic Forum and Public Against Violence Toward the Negotiations with Czechoslovak Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec, Prague, discussing demands for condemnation of 1968 invasion and promises made by the Prime Minister to the Civic Forum
 
Instructions of the Coordinating Center of the Civic Forum for the Local Forums with a Recommendation for Policy Toward the Communists, Prague
November 29 1989 - Instructions of the Coordinating Center of the Civic Forum for the Local Forums with a Recommendation for Policy Toward the Communists and information on how to deal with Communists infiltrating the Civic Forum branches
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
December 07 1989 - Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Berlin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the resignation of Egon Krenz, the scheduled Extraordinary Congress of the SED and its planned break with Stalinism, the beginning of ‘warning’ strikes, and the general movement of the GDR towards forming a federation with the FRG
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
December 07 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the special plenary session of the CC of the CPB to deal with demands by the ‘Bulgarian Democratic Forces Association’ to have free elections and a multi-party system
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the [Romanian] Ministry of Foreign Affairs
December 10 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the [Romanian] Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding street protests in Bulgaria due to disapproval with the measures adopted by the special plenum of the CC CPB
 
Letter by Ognyan Doynov to Delegates of the People’s Assembly
December 13 1989 - Letter by Ognyan Doynov to delegates of the People’s Assembly criticizing Zhivkov and his retinue and calling for those who worked under Zhivkov to give way to new leadership
 
Letter by People’s Representative and Candidate BCP CC Politburo Member Andrey Lukanov to Stanko Todorov, Chairman of the People’s Assembly
December 18 1989 - Letter by People’s Representative and Candidate BCP CC Politburo Member Andrey Lukanov to Stanko Todorov, Chairman of the People’s Assembly countering Doynov’s statements concerning him
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest)
December 18 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest) regarding the issuing of visas for Romania to Soviet citizens, particularly to Soviet Jews who have permission to emigrate to Israel, and asking whether to issue visas to Romanians who live in the Soviet Union for vacation purposes
 
Letter from Shevardnadze to Gorbachev
December 20 1989 - Letter from Shevardnadze to Gorbachev discussing the events in Romania and the limitation to news sources, primarily from the West, of information regarding these events
 
Memorandum of Conversation with the Ambassador of the SRR [Socialist Republic of Romania] in the USSR, I. Bucur
December 21 1989 - Memorandum of conversation with the Ambassador of the SRR [Socialist Republic of Romania] in the USSR, I. Bucur regarding the events in Timisoara, expressing confusion about comments by Romanian officials concerning planned intervention by the Soviet Union
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
December 21 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Romanian disapproval with Soviet mass media portrayal of events in Timisoara
 
Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
December 21 1989 - Note from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding a discussion with the Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister concerning events in Timisoara and Ceausescu’s disapproval with Soviet official declarations concerning the events
 
Informational Note from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest)
December 21 1989 - Informational Note from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest) regarding requests by Soviets for more information on the situation in Romania due to various press reports
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest) (1)
December 22 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest) containing a reply by Soviet leadership through Aboimov to Romanian accusations that the Soviet Union was planning military intervention in Romania
 
Record of Conversation with the Ambassador of the SFRY [Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia] in the USSR, Milan Veres
December 22 1989 - Record of Conversation with the Ambassador of the SFRY [Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia] in the USSR, Milan Veres regarding the events in Timisoara and the Yugoslav evaluation of these events, as well as Yugoslav concern over the situation
 
Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest) (2)
December 22 1989 - Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bucharest) regarding discussions with Soviets concerning the events in Eastern Europe and the backlash against the old regimes
 
Record of Conversation with US Ambassador to the USSR, J. Matlock
December 24 1989 - Record of conversation with US Ambassador to the USSR, J. Matlock regarding the situation in Romania, providing humanitarian aid to Romania, the evacuation of Soviet citizens, and the non-intervention policy by the Soviet Union
 
Statement of Alexander Lilov, CC BCP Politburo Member, at a Meeting with the MVR Leadership
January 06 1990 - Alexander Lilov responds to criticism from the police academy cadets. In an open letter, the cadets, concerned with the softening assimilation policies towards the Turkish minority, claim that Turkish nationalism poses a threat to Bulgaria’s territorial integrity. Lilov dismisses the fears for secession of the predominantly Turkish regions from Bulgaria and reminds his audience that historically Bulgarian nationalism has also been a particularly destructive force.
 
Czechoslovak Secret Police (STB) Memorandum, “Information on the Security Situation and Further Tasks in the Struggle Against the Internal Enemy” in the Period Preceding 21 August 1989
08/1989 - Czechoslovak Secret Police (StB) Memorandum, “Information on the Security Situation and Further Tasks in the Struggle Against the Internal Enemy” in the Period Preceding 21 August 1989, describing preparations for the anniversary of the 1968 uprising on August 21 and the protests on the part of the opposition
 
Note by Lech Walesa Regarding Further Procedure of Talks
Undated, ca. 1988-1989 - Note by Lech Walesa regarding further procedure of talks including questions of size of groups and representation for the Roundtable talks as well as a proposal for an agenda for the working groups
 
Hungarian Secret Police memorandum, “Ensuring the security of preparations for the burial of Imre Nagy and his associates [on 16 June 1989]”
05/1989 - Hungarian Secret Police memorandum, “Ensuring the security of preparations for the burial of Imre Nagy and his associates [on 16 June 1989]”, regarding plans to maintain security using the dissemination of information concerning possible retaliation for extremist action, and the use of operatives
 

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Email: coldwar@wilsoncenter.org
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