Record of Telephone Conversation between Mikhail Gorbachev and ...

I think, Mr. Chancellor, we are experiencing a historicturn toward new relations, toward a new world. And we shouldnot allow ourselves to impair this turn by our awkwardactions, or, moreover, to push developments toward anunpredictable course, toward chaos, by forcing events. Thatwould be undesirable in all respects.That is why I take the words you have spoken in ourconversation today very seriously. And I hope that you willuse your authority, your political weight and influence tokeep others within limits that are adequate for the timebeing and for the requirements of our time.Kohl: I think that it is fortunate that relationsbetween the USSR and the FRG have reached the high level ofdevelopment that they have now. And I especially appreciatethe good personal contacts that have developed between us.In my opinion, our relations are beyond simply officialcontacts, they have a personal character. I believe thatthey could continue to develop like this in the future. Iam ready for that. I understand that a personal relationshipdoes not change the essence of the problems, but it can maketheir resolutions easier.Coming back to the assessment of the situation in theGDR, I would like to mention that the problem now lies inthe realm of psychology. Honecker's course, which rejected