CHRONOLOGY OF AN EXODUS

May 2, 1989--The Hungarian government starts tearing down its Iron Curtain barriers on border with Austria.

July 15--Bonn says East German refugees have occupied its embassy in Budapest, demanding exit papers to West.

July 17--Austria says at least 100 East Germans have escaped over the Hungarian-Austrian border since May.

July 23--Hungary says its border guards have been ordered not to shoot at refugees crossing illegally into Austria.

July 31--Bonn says East Germans are occupying its mission in East Berlin and embassy in Prague.

Aug. 7--The first special train carrying 150 East Germans arrives in West Germany from Austria. East Germany accuses Bonn of interference in its internal affairs.

Aug. 8--Bonn closes its East Berlin mission because it is overflowing with 130 would-be refugees.

Aug. 13--Bonn closes Budapest embassy, with more than 180 East Germans remaining.

Aug. 15--Hungarian charity opens the first refugee camp.

Aug. 19--About 600 East Germans make a spectacular flight to West under cover of a “Pan-European Picnic” on Hungary’s border.

Aug. 22--An East German is accidentally shot to death in scuffle with a Hungarian border guard; Bonn closes its Prague embassy, which is occupied by more than 100 East Germans.

Aug. 24--108 East Germans leave Bonn embassy in Budapest and travel to West on International Red Cross documents.

Aug. 25--Hungary steps up border patrols to prevent new mass escapes. Its prime minister and foreign minister make brief unannounced visit to Bonn.

Aug. 29--Preparations start in West Germany and Austria for exodus. Tent cities with beds for 4,500 are built in Bavaria on West Germany’s border with Austria.

Sept. 4--Hungarian Interior Minister Istvan Horvath dampens refugees’ hopes of imminent departure, saying Hungary wants to await agreement between Bonn and East Berlin.

Sept. 6--Bonn says there is no chance of agreement with East Germany about refugees holed up in its diplomatic missions.

Sept. 8--The 116 East Germans occupying Bonn’s East Berlin mission leave after promises they will not be punished.

Sept. 10--Hungary opens its border with Austria to allow departure of all East Germans who wish to leave.

Source: Reuters