(Communicated by Prime Minister's Media Advisor)
Jerusalem, 2 November 1998
The Prime Minister's Media Adviser, Aviv Bushinsky, wishes to clarify the
possible slight changes in the Wye Memorandum timetable:
1. The Wye River Memorandum was signed at the White House on Friday,
23.10.98. According to its provisions, the Memorandum is scheduled to take
effect 10 days after being signed -- in other words, today (Monday),
2.11.98.
2. In accordance with the opinion rendered by Attorney-General Elyakim
Rubinstein, the Memorandum will take effect only once it has been approved
by the Cabinet and the Knesset. To this end, the Cabinet will convene
tomorrow (Tuesday), 3.11.98, to ratify the agreement; the discussion will
continue for two days. In the event that the Memorandum is approved by the
Cabinet, it will be brought for Knesset approval next week. The Knesset is
slated to discuss the agreement on 11-12.11.98.
3. The Wye River Memorandum determines that, within the first two weeks
following the date on which the agreement takes effect, the Palestinian
Authority must, first and foremost, perform its responsibilities as set
forth in the agreement -- only then will Israel do its part.
4. The Palestinians must, first: a) begin implementing the working plan for
the war on terrorism; b) present an effective legal framework for the
collection of illegal weapons; c) convene the PLO Executive Committee to
nullify all sections of the Palestinian charter which call for the
destruction of Israel, and; d) begin the work of the committee for the
prevention of incitement.
5. If the Palestinians fulfill the above commitments, Israel will implement
the first phase of the redeployment -- i.e. the first redeployment only (2%
from Area C to Area B, and 7.1% from Area B to Area A). If the Memorandum is
approved by the Cabinet and the Knesset, Israel will be able to meet the
deadline fixed at the White House (16.11.98), or to at least complete the
process within a few days.
6. During a telephone conversation this afternoon (Monday), 2.11.98, between
the Prime Minister and the Palestinian Authority Chairman, it was agreed
that the Palestinian Authority will begin implementing its part of the
accord today, in light of the fact that the Palestinian Council has already
approved the Memorandum. Arafat accepted Netanyahu's explanation that Israel
will implement its part of the agreement without delay, and on condition
that the Palestinian Authority fulfills its commitments, during the week of
16.11.98 (after the agreement is approved by the Cabinet and the
Knesset).