Contents:
I.Further Redeployments
II. Security
III. Interim Committees and Economic
Issues
IV. Permanent Status Negotiations
V. Unilateral Actions
Time Line
THE WYE RIVER
MEMORANDUM
Washington, D.C, October 23, 1998
The following are steps to facilitate implementation of
the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip of September 28,
1995 (the "Interim Agreement") and other related agreements including
the Note for the Record of January 17, 1997 (hereinafter referred to as
"the prior agreements") so that the Israeli and Palestinian sides
can more effectively carry out their reciprocal responsibilities, including
those relating to further redeployments and security respectively. These
steps are to be carried out in a parallel phased approach in accordance
with this Memorandum and the attached time line. They are subject to the
relevant terms and conditions of the prior agreements and do not supersede
their other agreements.
I. Further Redeployments
A. Phase One and Two Further Redeployments
1. Pursuant to the Interim Agreement and subsequent agreements,
the Israeli side's implementation of the first and second F.R.D. will consist
of the transfer to the Palestinian side of 13% from Area C as follows:
1% to Area (A)
12% to Area (B)
The Palestinian side has informed that it will allocate
an area/areas amounting to 3% from the above Area (B) to be designated
as Green Areas and/or Nature Reserves. The Palestinian side has further
informed that they will act according to the established scientific standards,
and that therefore there will be no changes in the status of these areas,
without prejudice to the rights of the existing inhabitants in these areas
including Bedouins; while these standards do not allow new construction
in these areas, existing roads and buildings may be maintained.
The Israeli side will retain in these Green Areas/Nature
Reserves the overriding security responsibility for the purpose of protecting
Israelis and confronting the threat of terrorism. Activities and movements
of the Palestinian Police forces may be carried out after coordination
and confirmation; the Israeli side will respond to such requests expeditiously.
2. As part of the foregoing implementation of the first
and second F.R.D., 14.2% from Area (B) will become Area (A).
B. Third Phase of Further Redeployments
With regard to the terms of the Interim Agreement and
of Secretary Christopher's letters to the two sides of January 17, 1997
relating to the further redeployment process, there will be a committee
to address this question. The United States will be briefed regularly.
II. Security
In the provisions on security arrangements of the Interim
Agreement, the Palestinian side agreed to take all measures necessary in
order to prevent acts of terrorism, crime and hostilities directed against
the Israeli side, against individuals failing under the Israeli side's
authority and against their property, just as the Israeli side agreed to
take all measures necessary in order to prevent acts of terrorism, crime
and hostilities directed against the Palestinian side, against individuals
falling under the Palestinian side's authority and against their property.
The two sides also agreed to take legal measures against offenders within
their jurisdiction and to prevent incitement against each other by any
organizations, groups or individuals within their jurisdiction.
Both sides recognize that it is in their vital interests
to combat terrorism and fight violence in accordance with Annex I of the
Interim Agreement and the Note for the Record. They also recognize that
the struggle against terror and violence must be comprehensive in that
it deals with terrorists, the terror support structure, and the environment
conducive to the support of terror. It must be continuous and constant
over a long-term, in that there can be no pauses in the work against terrorists
and their structure. It must be cooperative in that no effort can be fully
effective without Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and the continuous exchange
of information, concepts, and actions.
Pursuant to the prior agreements, the Palestinian side's
implementation of its responsibilities for security, security cooperation,
and other issues will be as detailed below during the time periods specified
in the attached time line:
A. Security Actions
1. Outlawing and Combating Terrorist Organizations
a) The Palestinian side will make known its policy of
zero tolerance for terror and violence against both sides.
b) A work plan developed by the Palestinian side will
be shared with the U.S. and thereafter implementation will begin immediately
to ensure the systematic and effective combat of terrorist organizations
and their infrastructure.
c) In addition to the bilateral Israeli-Palestinian security
cooperation, a U.S.-Palestinian committee will meet biweekly to review
the steps being taken to eliminate terrorist cells and the support structure
that plans, finances, supplies and abets terror. In these meetings, the
Palestinian side will inform the U.S. fully of the actions it has taken
to outlaw all organizations (or wings of organizations, as appropriate)
of a military, terrorist or violent character and their support structure
and to prevent them from operating in areas under its jurisdiction.
d) The Palestinian side will apprehend the specific individuals
suspected of perpetrating acts of violence and terror for the purpose of
further investigation, and prosecution and punishment of all persons involved
in acts of violence and terror.
e) A U.S.-Palestinian committee will meet to review and
evaluate information pertinent to the decisions on prosecution, punishment
or other legal measures which affect the status of individuals suspected
of abetting or perpetrating acts of violence and terror.
2. Prohibiting Illegal Weapons
a) The Palestinian side will ensure an effective legal
framework is in place to criminalize, in conformity with the prior agreements,
any importation, manufacturing or unlicensed sale, acquisition or possession
of firearms, ammunition or weapons in areas under Palestinian jurisdiction.
b) In addition, the Palestinian side will establish and
vigorously and continuously implement a systematic program for the collection
and appropriate handling of all such illegal items in accordance with the
prior agreements. The U.S. has agreed to assist in carrying out this program.
c) A U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will be established
to assist and enhance cooperation in preventing the smuggling or other
unauthorized introduction of weapons or explosive materials into areas
under Palestinian jurisdiction.
3. Preventing Incitement
a) Drawing on relevant international practice and pursuant
to Article XXII (1) of the Interim Agreement and the Note for the Record,
the Palestinian side will issue a decree prohibiting all forms of incitement
to violence or terror, and establishing mechanisms for acting systematically
against all expressions or threats of violence or terror. This decree will
be comparable to the existing Israeli legislation which deals with the
same subject.
b) A U.S.- Palestinian-Israeli committee will meet on
a regular basis to monitor cases of possible incitement to violence or
terror and to make recommendations and reports on how to prevent such incitement.
The Israeli, Palestinian and U.S. sides will each appoint a media specialist,
a law enforcement representative, an educational specialist and a current
or former elected official to the committee.
B. Security Cooperation
The two sides agree that their security cooperation will
be based on a spirit of partnership and will include, among other things,
the following steps:
1. Bilateral Cooperation
There will be full bilateral security cooperation between
the two sides which will be continuous, intensive and comprehensive.
2. Forensic Cooperation
There will be an exchange of forensic expertise, training,
and other assistance.
3. Trilateral Committee
In addition to the bilateral Israeli-Palestinian security
cooperation, a high-ranking U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will meet
as required and not less than biweekly to assess current threats, deal
with any impediments to effective security cooperation and coordination
and address the steps being taken to combat terroand terrorist organizations.
The committee will also serve as a forum to address the issue of external
support for terror. In these meetings, the Palestinian side will fully
inform the members of the committee of the results of its investigations
concerning terrorist suspects already in custody and the participants will
exchange additional relevant information The committee will report regularly
to the leaders of the two sides on the status of cooperation, the results
of the meetings and its recommendations.
C. Other Issues
1. Palestinian Police Force
a) The Palestinian side will provide a list of its policemen
to the Israeli side in conformity with the prior agreements.
b) Should the Palestinian side request technical assistance,
the U.S. has indicated its willingness to help meet their needs in cooperation
with other donors.
c) The Monitoring and Steering Committee will, as part
of its functions, monitor the implementation of this provision and brief
the U.S.
2. PLO Charter
The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization
and the Palestinian Central Council will reaffirm the letter of 22 January
1998 from PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat to President Clinton concerning the
nullification of the Palestinian National Charter provisions that are inconsistent
with the letters exchanged between the PLO and the Government of Israel
on 9/10 September 1993. PLO Chairman Arafat, the Speaker of the Palestine
National Council, and the Speaker of the Palestinian Council will invite
the members of the PNC, as well as the members of the Central Council,
the Council, and the Palestinian Heads of Ministries to a meeting to be
addressed by President Clinton to reaffirm their support for the peace
process and the aforementioned decisions of the Executive Committee and
the Central Council.
3. Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
Among other forms of legal assistance in criminal matters,
the requests for arrest and transfer of suspects and defendants pursuant
to Article II (7) of Annex IV of the Interim Agreement will be submitted
(or resubmitted) through the mechanism of the Joint Israeli-Palestinian
Legal Committee and will be responded to in conformity with Article II
(7) (f) of Annex IV of the Interim Agreement within the twelve week period.
Requests submitted after the eighth week will be responded to in conformity
with Article II (7) (f) within four weeks of their submission. The U.S.
has been requested by the sides to report on a regular basis on the steps
being taken to respond to the above requests.
4. Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Pursuant to Article XI (1) of Annex I of the Interim Agreement,
and without derogating from the above, the Palestinian Police will exercise
powers and responsibilities to implement this Memorandum with due regard
to internationally accepted norms of human rights and the rule of law,
and will be guided by the need to protect the public, respect human dignity,
and avoid harassment.
III. Interim Committees and
Economic Issues
1. The Israeli and Palestinian sides reaffirm their commitment
to enhancing their relationship and agree on the need to actively promote
economic development in the West Bank and Gaza. In this regard, the parties
agree to continue or to reactivate all standing committees established
by the Interim Agreement, including the Monitoring and Steering Committee,
the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), the Civil Affairs Committee (CAC),
the Legal Committee, and the Standing Cooperation Committee.
2. The Israeli and Palestinian sides have agreed on arrangements
which will permit the timely opening of the Gaza Industrial Estate. They
also have concluded a "Protocol Regarding the Establishment and Operation
of the International Airport in the Gaza Strip During the Interim Period."
3. Both sides will renew negotiations on Safe Passage
immediately. As regards the southern route, the sides will make best efforts
to conclude the agreement within a week of the entry into force of this
Memorandum. Operation of the southern route will start as soon as possible
thereafter. As regards the northern route, negotiations will continue with
the goal of reaching agreement as soon as possible. Implementation will
take place expeditiously thereafter.
4. The Israeli and Palestinian sides acknowledge the great
importance of the Port of Gaza for the development of the Palestinian economy,
and the expansion of Palestinian trade. They commit themselves to proceeding
without delay to conclude an agreement to allow the construction and operation
of the port in accordance with the prior agreements. The Israeli-Palestinian
Committee will reactivate its work immediately with a goal of concluding
the protocol within sixty days, which will allow commencement of the construction
of the port.
5. The two sides recognize that unresolved legal issues
adversely affect the relationship between the two peoples. They therefore
will accelerate efforts through the Legal Committee to address outstanding
legal issues and to implement solutions to these issues in the shortest
possible period. The Palestinian side will provide to the Israeli side
copies of all of its laws in effect.
6. The Israeli and Palestinian sides also will launch
a strategic economic dialogue to enhance their economic relationship. They
will establish within the framework of the JEC an Ad Hoc Committee for
this purpose. The committee will review the following four issues: (1)
Israeli purchase taxes; (2) cooperation in combating vehicle theft; (3)
dealing with unpaid Palestinian debts; and (4) the impact of Israeli standards
as barriers to trade and the expansion of the A1 and A2 lists. The committee
will submit an interim report within three weeks of the entry into force
of this Memorandum, and within six weeks will submit its conclusions and
recommendations to be implemented.
7. The two sides agree on the importance of continued
international donor assistance to facilitate implementation by both sides
of agreements reached. They also recognize the need for enhanced donor
support for economic development in the West Bank and Gaza. They agree
to jointly approach the donor community to organize a Ministerial Conference
before the end of 1998 to seek pledges for enhanced levels of assistance.
IV. Permanent Status
Negotiations
The two sides will immediately resume permanent status
negotiations on an accelerated basis and will make a determined effort
to achieve the mutual goal of reaching an agreement by May 4, 1999. The
negotiations will be continuous and without interruption. The U.S. has
expressed its willingness to facilitate these negotiations.
V. Unilateral Actions
Recognizing the necessity to create a positive environment
for the negotiations, neither side shall initiate or take any step that
will change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in accordance
with the Interim Agreement.
Attachement: Time Line
This Memorandum will enter into force ten days from the
date of signature.
Done at Washington, D.C. this 23d day of October 1998.
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Benjamin Netanyahu
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Yasser Arafat
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For the Government
of the State of Israel
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For the PLO
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William J. Clinton
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The Unites States of America
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TIME LINE
Note: Parenthetical references below are to paragraphs
in "The Wye River Memorandum" to which this time line is an integral
attachment. Topics not included in the time line follow the schedule provided
for in the text of the Memorandum.
1. Upon Entry into Force of the Memorandum:
- Third further redeployment committee starts (I (B))
- Palestinian security work plan shared with the U.S. (II
(A) (1) (b))
- Full bilateral security cooperation (II (B) (1) )
- Trilateral security cooperation committee starts (II
(B) (3))
- Interim committees resume and continue; Ad Hoc Economic
Committee starts (III)
- Accelerated permanent status negotiations start (IV)
2. Entry into Force - Week 2:
- Security work plan implementation begins (II (A) (1)
(b)); (II (A) (1) (c)) committee starts
- Illegal weapons framework in place (II (A) (2) (a));
Palestinian implementation report (II (A) (2) (b))
- Anti-incitement committee starts (II (A) (3) (b)); decree
issued (II (A) (3) (a))
- PLO Executive Committee reaffirms Charter letter (II
(C) (2))
- Stage 1 of F.R.D. implementation: 2% C to B, 7.1% B to
A. Israeli officials acquaint their Palestinian counterparts as required
with areas; F.R.D. carried out; report on F.R.D. implementation (I(A))
3. Week 2-6:
- Palestinian Central Council reaffirms Charter letter
(weeks two to four) (II (C) (2))
- PNC and other PLO organizations reaffirm Charter letter
(weeks four to six) (II (C) (2))
- Establishment of weapons collection program (II (A) (2)
(b)) and collection stage (II (A) (2) (c)); committee starts and reports
on activities.
- Anti-incitement committee report (II (A) (3) (b)) Ad
Hoc Economic Committee: interim report at week three; final report at week
six (III)
- Policemen list (II (C) (1) (a)); Monitoring and Steering
Committee review starts (II (C) (1) (c)
- Stage 2 of F.R.D. implementation: 5% C to B. Israeli
officials acquaint their Palestinian counterparts as required with areas;
F.R.D. carried out; report on F.R.D. implementation (I (A))
4. Week 6-12:
- Weapons collection stage II (A) (2) (b); II (A) (2) (c)
committee report on its activities.
- Anti-incitement committee report (II (A) (3) (b))
- Monitoring and Steering Committee briefs U.S. on policemen
list (II (C) (1) (c))
- Stage 3 of F.R.D. implementation: 5% C to B, 1% C to
A, 7.1% B to A. Israeli officials acquaint Palestinian counterparts as
required with areas; F.R.D. carried out; report on F.R.D. implementation
(I (A))
5. After Week 12:
Activities described in the Memorandum continue as appropriate
and if necessary, including:
- Trilateral security cooperation committee (II (B)(3))
- (II (A) (1) (c)) committee
- (II (A) (1) (e)) committee
- Anti-incitement committee (II (A) (3) (b))
- Third Phase F.R.D. Committee (I (B))
- Interim Committees (III)
- Accelerated permanent status negotiations (IV)
End of Attachment
