1990 Diplomacy & Treaties Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1990 Diplomacy & Treaties Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 02 Feb De Klerk announces dismantling of apartheid in South Africa: On February 2, 1990, South African President F.W. de Klerk delivered a landmark speech at the opening of Parliament, announcing the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan Africanist Congress, and the South African Communist Party. He also committed to releasing Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners, signaling the beginning of the end of apartheid. This pivotal moment set the stage for negotiations leading to a democratic South Africa. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 04 Feb 1990 Cairo bus attack: On February 4, 1990, a bus carrying Israeli tourists was attacked in Cairo, Egypt, resulting in nine Israeli civilians killed and 17 others wounded. The assault was claimed by two groups: the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and an unknown group calling itself the 'Organisation for the Defense of the Oppressed of Egypt's Prisons'. The attack was the worst on Israelis in Egypt since the two countries signed a peace agreement in 1979. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 Feb Agreement reached on two-stage plan for German reunification: On February 13, 1990, foreign ministers from East and West Germany, along with the four Allied powers (United States, United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union), met in Ottawa to discuss the reunification of Germany. They agreed to initiate negotiations on the external security aspects of unification, leading to the 'Two Plus Four' talks, which ultimately paved the way for Germany's reunification on October 3, 1990. source: thenation.com
- 26 Feb Soviet Union begins withdrawal of troops from Czechoslovakia: On February 26, 1990, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and Czechoslovak President Václav Havel signed an agreement in Moscow for the withdrawal of 73,500 Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia. The withdrawal commenced the same day, with the first Soviet tanks leaving the town of Frenštát pod Radhoštěm. The process was to be completed by July 1, 1991, marking the end of a 21-year Soviet military presence in the country. source: washingtonpost.com
- 06 Mar Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells announces intention to rescind support for Meech Lake Accord: On March 6, 1990, Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells confirmed his decision to withdraw the province's approval of the Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional amendment package aimed at gaining Quebec's formal acceptance of the Constitution Act, 1982. Wells cited concerns that the Accord would grant Quebec special status and limit federal spending, potentially disadvantaging poorer provinces like Newfoundland. source: washingtonpost.com
- 12 Mar Soviet troops begin withdrawal from Hungary: On March 12, 1990, the first Soviet soldiers departed Hungary under a withdrawal agreement signed on March 10, 1990. The initial departure took place in Hajmáskér, a town west of Budapest, where Soviet soldiers boarded trains heading home. This marked the commencement of a process that would see all Soviet troops and equipment withdrawn from Hungary by June 30, 1991. The withdrawal was part of a broader agreement between the Soviet Union and Hungary, aiming to remove approximately 49,700 Soviet soldiers and 27,146 military vehicles from Hungarian territory. The costs of the process, dubbed 'Operation Going Home' by the Hungarians, were to be covered by Moscow. source: washingtonpost.com
- 18 Mar MLB players and owners reach new collective bargaining agreement ending 32-day lockout: On March 18, 1990, Major League Baseball players and owners reached a new collective bargaining agreement, ending a 32-day lockout that had delayed spring training. The agreement included increased contributions to the players' pension fund, raised the major league minimum salary to $100,000, and expanded salary arbitration eligibility to include 17% of players with between two and three years of major league experience. source: legacy.baseballprospectus.com
- 22 Mar Soviet Union and Hungary sign agreement for troop withdrawal: On March 10, 1990, Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze and Hungarian Foreign Minister Gyula Horn signed an agreement for the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Hungary by mid-1991. The withdrawal was set to begin on March 12, 1990, with the complete pullout scheduled for June 30, 1991. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Apr Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement signed: On April 9, 1990, the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement was finalized, granting the Sahtu Dene and Métis ownership of 41,437 square kilometers of land in the Northwest Territories, including subsurface rights to 1,813 square kilometers. The agreement also provided financial compensation totaling $75 million over 15 years and established rights to hunt, fish, and trap throughout the Sahtu Settlement Area. source: rcaanc.gc.ca
- 12 Apr East German Parliament acknowledges Holocaust responsibility: On April 12, 1990, East Germany's first freely elected parliament, the Volkskammer, formally acknowledged the nation's responsibility for Nazi atrocities. In a televised session, Speaker Sabine Bergmann-Pohl read a statement admitting joint responsibility for the persecution and murder of Jewish individuals during the Holocaust. The parliament also apologized to Israel and expressed a desire to establish diplomatic relations. This marked a significant departure from previous East German policies that had denied such responsibility. source: washingtonpost.com
- 04 May Pope John Paul II's visit to Mexico begins on May 6, 1990: Pope John Paul II arrived in Mexico City on May 6, 1990, for an eight-day visit aimed at strengthening the Catholic Church's presence in the country. During his stay, he beatified Juan Diego, the indigenous Mexican to whom the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared in 1531, and met with President Carlos Salinas de Gortari to discuss various issues, including the restoration of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the Vatican. source: upi.com
- 06 May P.W. Botha resigns from the National Party: On May 6, 1990, former South African President P.W. Botha resigned from the National Party, citing dissatisfaction with President F.W. de Klerk's reform proposals, including negotiations with the African National Congress (ANC). Botha had previously resigned as state president on August 14, 1989, amid political instability and economic challenges. His departure marked a significant shift in South African politics during the transition away from apartheid. source: washingtonpost.com
- 01 Jun US–Soviet Chemical Weapons Accord signed: On June 1, 1990, U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the U.S.–Soviet Chemical Weapons Accord, officially known as the "Agreement on Destruction and Non-production of Chemical Weapons and on Measures to Facilitate the Multilateral Convention on Banning Chemical Weapons." This agreement mandated the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles, cessation of production, and authorized on-site inspections to confirm compliance. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
- 07 Jun Yitzhak Shamir forms Israeli coalition government: On June 11, 1990, Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir announced the formation of a new coalition government comprising Likud, Shas, Agudat Israel, Moledet, Tsomet, and Tehiya. This coalition secured a 62-57 majority in the Knesset, ending a three-month political deadlock. The government's agenda prioritized the mass immigration of Soviet Jews and the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The coalition's policy guidelines reaffirmed Israel's commitment to the Camp David Accords and opposed negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Jun Meech Lake Accord expires: The Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional agreement aimed at recognizing Quebec as a distinct society within Canada, expired on June 23, 1990. Despite initial support, the Accord failed to receive unanimous ratification from all ten provincial legislatures and the federal Parliament within the three-year deadline. Notably, Manitoba's legislature adjourned without voting on the Accord, and Newfoundland's Premier Clyde Wells suspended debate indefinitely, effectively killing the Accord. This outcome was perceived as a significant setback for Quebec's constitutional aspirations. source: upi.com
- 11 Jul Nicaragua government and labor unions reach agreement to end strike: On July 11, 1990, the Nicaraguan government and the Sandinista-led National Workers Front reached an agreement to end a strike that had begun on July 2, 1990. The strike had disrupted city streets, halted commerce, and resulted in at least six deaths. The accord included suspending a decree permitting the return of confiscated lands to previous owners, granting a 43% salary raise this month, and ensuring no retribution against the strikers. source: latimes.com
- 25 Jul US Ambassador April Glaspie signals neutrality in Iraq-Kuwait dispute: On July 25, 1990, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie met with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to discuss the escalating tensions between Iraq and Kuwait. During the meeting, Glaspie conveyed that the United States had no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflict, including the border dispute between Iraq and Kuwait, stating, "We have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait." This message was consistent with the U.S. policy at the time, which refrained from intervening in such disputes. However, this stance has been subject to debate, with some critics suggesting that it may have been interpreted by Saddam Hussein as a tacit approval for military action. The exact details of the conversation have been a point of contention, with differing accounts from the U.S. and Iraqi perspectives. source: washingtonpost.com
- 27 Jul Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt in Trinidad and Tobago: On July 27, 1990, the Islamist group Jamaat al Muslimeen, led by Yasin Abu Bakr, initiated a coup attempt in Trinidad and Tobago. They stormed the Red House, the seat of Parliament, taking Prime Minister A. N. R. Robinson and other government officials hostage. Concurrently, they attacked the Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) station, broadcasting their claim of overthrowing the government. The six-day standoff resulted in 24 deaths and widespread property damage, including the destruction of the Police Headquarters. The insurgents surrendered on August 1, 1990, after negotiations led to an amnesty agreement. source: bbc.com
- 24 Aug Iraqi troops surround embassies in Kuwait City: On August 24, 1990, Iraqi forces surrounded the U.S. Embassy and at least eight other foreign diplomatic missions in Kuwait City, including those of Britain, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, West Germany, and Romania. Iraqi authorities threatened to forcibly remove diplomats remaining at their posts and cut off utilities to the embassies. Additionally, Iraqi troops detained over 100 American diplomats and their families who had fled Kuwait earlier, preventing their departure from Baghdad. These actions escalated tensions and were viewed as violations of international diplomatic norms. source: washingtonpost.com
- 31 Aug East and West Germany sign unification treaty: On August 31, 1990, representatives from East and West Germany signed the "Treaty Between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic on the Establishment of German Unity," commonly known as the Unification Treaty. This treaty outlined the legal, financial, and technical aspects of reunification, effective from October 3, 1990. It stipulated that East Germany would join the Federal Republic as five new states, and Berlin would become the capital of the unified Germany. The treaty also addressed various issues, including the adoption of the West German constitution by East Germany and the rehabilitation of victims of the former East German regime. source: upi.com
- 01 Sep Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Journey to Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast: Pope John Paul II embarked on a ten-day Apostolic Journey to Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and the Ivory Coast from September 1 to 10, 1990. During this visit, he addressed various issues, including the AIDS epidemic and the plight of refugees, urging international cooperation to address these challenges. The journey included meetings with diplomatic personnel and local communities, emphasizing peace, unity, and development across the African continent. source: vatican.va
- 11 Sep Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany signed in Moscow: On September 12, 1990, the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, also known as the Two Plus Four Agreement, was signed in Moscow by the two German states and the four Allied powers—the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France. This treaty paved the way for German reunification by renouncing all rights the Allies held over Germany and confirming the existing borders, including the German-Polish border. The treaty entered into force on March 15, 1991, granting full sovereignty to a unified Germany. source: politico.com
- 12 Sep Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany signed: On September 12, 1990, the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany was signed in Moscow by the two German states and the four Allied powers, paving the way for German reunification. The treaty confirmed Germany's borders, renounced future territorial claims, and established the framework for the withdrawal of Allied forces. It entered into force on March 15, 1991, granting Germany full sovereignty. source: congress.gov
- 15 Sep France deploys 4,000 troops to Persian Gulf in response to Iraqi aggression: On September 15, 1990, French President François Mitterrand ordered the deployment of 4,000 additional troops to the Persian Gulf and the expulsion of Iraqi diplomats. This decision was a direct response to Iraqi forces entering the French ambassador's residence in Kuwait, an act Mitterrand termed 'a new aggression.' The French military presence aimed to bolster regional security and support the U.S.-led multinational force in the Gulf. source: upi.com
- 20 Sep German reunification treaty ratified by Bundestag and Volkskammer: On September 20, 1990, both the West German Bundestag and the East German Volkskammer approved the Unification Treaty, facilitating the reunification of Germany. The Bundestag voted 442–47 in favor, while the Volkskammer voted 299–80. This treaty, signed on August 31, 1990, outlined the legal and financial framework for merging the two German states, leading to reunification on October 3, 1990. source: germanhistorydocs.org
- 10 Nov Lebanon Releases French Hostages: Lebanon released two French hostages, Camille Sontag and Marcel Coudari, marking a diplomatic breakthrough in hostage negotiations during a period of regional tension.
- 04 Dec Iraq agrees to release Soviet hostages: On December 4, 1990, Iraq announced that over 3,200 Soviet nationals held in Iraq could leave the country. This decision was part of a broader move by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who had earlier called on the Iraqi parliament to allow all foreign nationals the right to leave if they wished. The release was seen as a diplomatic gesture amid increasing international pressure. source: washingtonpost.com
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