During the middle of October 1998 a summit, hosted by U.S. President Bill Clinton, was held at Wye River, Maryland. The Israeli delegation was headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and included Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon, Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai and Minister of Trade and Industry Natan Sharansky.
As a result of the negotiations, the Wye River Memorandum was signed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat on October 23, 1998 in a ceremony attended also by King Hussein of Jordan. The Memorandum consists of steps to facilitate implementation of the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip of September 28, 1995.
The agreement emphasizes reciprocity and addresses specific security concerns which had been raised by Israel in the past. Attached to the Memorandum is a 'timeline', which outlines, step by step, the implementation of the mutual undertakings that are incumbent upon each side. Upon completion of each phase of the Palestinian commitments, Israel will transfer a specified percentage of land to the Palestinians within the context of the 'further redeployments' as stated in previous agreements.
Other Personages: National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, Secretary Of State Madeleine Albright, Vice-President Al Gore.
Speeches: Secretary Of State Madeleine Albright, Vice-President Al Gore, President Bil Clinton, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chairman Yasir Arafat, King Hussein.
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