The Wye River Memorandum:
Timeline for Implementation

Wye River Memorandum: Table of Contents | Full Text | U.S. Assurances

Initial Timetable from Wye River Memorandum:

November 2, 1998

  • The Wye River Memorandum enters into force (Israel's attorney general says this will legally occur only after the Knesset approves the agreement).
  • Palestinians present security plan.
  • Trilateral security committee starts.
  • Final status talks begin.

November 3

  • Israeli Cabinet debates memorandum.

November 11-12

November 15

  • PLO Executive Committee revokes Covenant clauses calling for Israel’s destruction.
  • First land transfer by Israel of 2 percent from Area C to Area B, and 7.1 percent from Area B to Area A).

November 29

  • Palestinian Central Council revokes Covenant.

December 23

  • Palestinian National Council revokes Covenant.
  • Second transfer of land by Israel.

January 24, 1999

  • End of 12-week period specified in the memorandum for completion of Israeli land transfers.
  • Palestinians complete collection of illegal weapons and reduction of police force to Oslo limit.

New Timetable from Sharm el- Sheikh Agreement (September 4, 1999):

September 10, 1999

  • The agreement takes effect.

September 10-13

  • The first stage of withdrawal, in which 7 percent of Area C, under Israeli control, becomes Area B, under joint control
  • first 200 Palestinian prisoners are freed
  • joint committee convenes on prayers at the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

September 13

  • Final status talks begin
  • all joint committees as determined by Oslo convene
  • the committee on the third withdrawal meets
  • Palestinian list of police is presented to Israel.

October 1

  • Opening of the southern safe passage route (contingent on achieving the detailed protocol);
  • Gaza port construction begins;
  • renewal of Israel-Palestinian-Jordanian-Egyptian talks on 1967 refugees.

October 5

  • Deadline for deciding on location of northern safe passage point entering West Bank.

October 8

  • A second group of 150 prisoners is released.

October 15

  • Palestinians report on weapons collection;
  • Palestinians report on arrested terror suspects;
  • review of Palestinian police lists.

October 30

  • Economic committee completes its deliberations;
  • second stage of Shuhada Street opens to one-way traffic.

November 1

  • Partial opening of Hebron wholesale market as a retail market.

November 15

  • The second stage of withdrawal, in which 2 percent of Area B becomes Area A (full Palestinian control) and another 3 percent of Area C becomes Area B.

Early December

  • Israel frees more prisoners, as has been the tradition for years on the Muslim holiday of Ramadan.

January 20, 2000

  • Third and final stage of interim withdrawal, in which 1 percent of Area C and another 5.1 percent of Area B become Area A, under full Palestinian control.

February 5

  • Northern safe passage route between Gaza and West Bank is opened, contingent on an agreed protocol.

February 13

  • Target date for a framework for a final status agreement.

Septemer 13, 2000

  • Target date for an overall agreement.

Sources: Ha'aretz, (September 5, 1999)

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