The Wye River Memorandum: Timeline for Implementation

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

• The Knesset debates memorandum.

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)