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VOLUME 17: 1998-1999
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75. The Wye River Memorandum: time line, letters of assurance and addresses at the signing ceremony, 23 October 1998.
The Wye River Memorandum was a comprehensive and detailed agreement designed to break the deadlock in the peace process, to resolve outstanding interim period issues to move forward to permanent status issues. It consisted of Israeli undertakings mainly in further redeployment in the West Bank in three phases, in return for Palestinian implementation of its commitments in the areas of security, and the fight against terror and incitment.
The agreement was the culmination of a nine-day summit, in which Israel was represented by its Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Defense Minister and Minister Sharansky and their aides. Chairman Arafat represented the PA, President Clinton and Secretary Albright represented the U.S., and King Hussein of Jordan rose from his sickbed to be on the scene in the final days of the negotiations.
The Memorandum would enable the implementation of both the 28 September 1995 Israel-PA Interim Agreement, and the 17 January 1997 Hebron Protocol and the Note for the Record. Israel made it clear that if and when there would be a third FRD, it would consist of no more than 1% in scope. Agreement was reached on safe passage between Gaza and the West Bank, the Industrial Park at Karni and the use of the Dahaniyya Airport. The sides agreed to resume Final Status Negotiations and not to undertake any unilateral steps that would change the status quo in the area until the completion of the Final Status Negotiations.
Following are the texts of the Memorandum, the time line, the letters of assurance and the speeches made at the White House signing ceremony by the leaders of the delegations.
 The Wye River Memorandum
Time Line
Letter from Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright - October 23, 1998
U.S. Letters of Assurance to Israel
Statements at the signing of the Wye River Memorandum
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