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the peace treaty between the United States 1. Pursuant to the Interim Agreement and and Spain. And for 100 years, this table, subsequent agreements, the Israeli side’s im- brought here by one of our greatest warriors, plementation of the first and second F.R.D. has been the exclusive repository of our will consist of the transfer to the Palestinian peace agreements, the one we signed with side of 13% from Area C as follows: Your Majesty King Hussein on this table; 1% to Area (A) President Kennedy’s test ban treaty, signed 12% to Area (B) on this table. The Palestinian side has informed that it And so I think it is fitting that these three will allocate an area/areas amounting to 3% great leaders—two signers, one, His Majesty, from the above Area (B) to be designated observing—who know a great deal about war as Green Areas and/or Nature Reserves. The have come to make peace on this table, Palestinian side has further informed that which, for our country, has come to embody they will act according to the established sci- it. And we thank them. entific standards, and that therefore there Thank you very much. will be no changes in the status of these [At this point, the memorandum was signed.] areas, without prejudice to the rights of the existing inhabitants in these areas including NOTE: The President spoke at 4 p.m. in the East Bedouins; while these standards do not allow Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Queen Noor of Jordan; Prime Minister new construction in these areas, existing Netanyahu’s wife, Sarah; and former civilian U.S. roads and buildings may be maintained. Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard, con- The Israeli side will retain in these Green victed of treason and espionage in 1987. The tran- Areas/Natural Reserves the overriding secu- script released by the Office of the Press Secretary rity responsibility for the purpose of protect- included the remarks of Secretary of State Mad- ing Israelis and confronting the threat of ter- eleine Albright, Vice President Al Gore, Prime rorism. Activities and movements of the Pal- Minister Netanyahu, Chairman Arafat, and King estinian Police forces may be carried out Hussein I. This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate issue. after coordination and confirmation; the Israeli side will respond to such requests ex- peditiously. The Wye River Memorandum 2. As part of the foregoing implementation October 23, 1998 of the first and second F.R.D., 14.2% from Area (B) will become Area (A). The following are steps to facilitate imple- mentation of the Interim Agreement on the B. Third Phase of Further Redeployments West Bank and Gaza Strip of September 28, With regard to the terms of the Interim 1995 (the ‘‘Interim Agreement’’) and other Agreement and of Secretary Christopher’s related agreements including the Note for letters to the two sides of January 17, 1997 the Record of January 17, 1997 (hereinafter relating to the further redeployment process, referred to as ‘‘the prior agreements’’) so that there will be a committee to address this the Israeli and Palestinian sides can more ef- question. The United States will be briefed fectively carry out their reciprocal respon- regularly. sibilities, including those relating to further redeployments and security respectively. II. Security These steps are to be carried out in a parallel phased approach in accordance with this In the provisions on security arrangements Memorandum and the attached time line. of the Interim Agreement, the Palestinian They are subject to the relevant terms and side agreed to take all measures necessary conditions of the prior agreements and do in order to prevent acts of terrorism, crime not supersede their other requirements. and hostilities directed against the Israeli side, against individuals falling under the I. Further Redeployments Israeli side’s authority and against their prop- A. Phase One and Two Further erty, just as the Israeli side agreed to take Redeployments all measures necessary in order to prevent

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acts of terrorism, crime and hostilities di- will inform the U.S. fully of the ac- rected against the Palestinian side, against in- tions it has taken to outlaw all organi- dividuals falling under the Palestinian side’s zations (or wings of organizations, as authority and against their property. The two appropriate) of a military, terrorist or sides also agreed to take legal measures violent character and their support against offenders within their jurisdiction and structure and to prevent them from to prevent incitement against each other by operating in areas under its jurisdic- any organizations, groups or individuals with- tion. in their jurisdiction. (d) The Palestinian side will apprehend Both sides recognize that it is in their vital the specific individuals suspected of interests to combat terrorism and fight vio- perpetrating acts of violence and ter- lence in accordance with Annex I of the In- ror for the purpose of further inves- terim Agreement and the Note for the tigation, and prosecution and punish- Record. They also recognize that the struggle ment of all persons involved in acts against terror and violence must be com- of violence and terror. prehensive in that it deals with terrorists, the (e) A U.S.-Palestinian committee will terror support structure, and the environ- meet to review and evaluate informa- ment conducive to the support of terror. It tion pertinent to the decisions on must be continuous and constant over a long- prosecution, punishment or other term, in that there can be no pauses in the legal measures which affect the status work against terrorists and their structure. It of individuals suspected of abetting or must be cooperative in that no effort can be perpetrating acts of violence and ter- fully effective without Israeli-Palestinian co- ror. operation and the continuous exchange of in- 2. Prohibiting Illegal Weapons formation, concepts, and actions. (a) The Palestinian side will ensure an ef- Pursuant to the prior agreements, the Pal- fective legal framework is in place to estinian side’s implementation of its respon- criminalize, in conformity with the sibilities for security, security cooperation, prior agreements, any importation, and other issues will be as detailed below manufacturing or unlicensed sale, ac- during the time periods specified in the at- quisition or possession of firearms, tached time line: ammunition or weapons in areas under Palestinian jurisdiction. A. Security Actions (b) In addition, the Palestinian side will 1. Outlawing and Combating Terrorism establish and vigorously and continu- Organizations ously implement a systematic pro- (a) The Palestinian side will make known gram for the collection and appro- its policy of zero tolerance for terror priate handling of all such illegal and violence against both sides. items in accordance with the prior (b) A work plan developed by the Pal- agreements. The U.S. has agreed to estinian side will be shared with the assist in carrying out this program. U.S. and thereafter implementation (c) A U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will begin immediately to ensure the will be established to assist and en- systematic and effective combat of hance cooperation in preventing the terrorist organizations and their infra- smuggling or other unauthorized in- structure. troduction of weapons or explosive (c) In addition to the bilateral Israeli-Pal- materials into areas under Palestinian estinian security cooperation, a U.S.- jurisdiction. Palestinian committee will meet bi- 3. Preventing Incitement weekly to review the steps being (a) Drawing on relevant international taken to eliminate terrorist cells and practice and pursuant to Article XXII the support structure that plans, fi- (1) of the Interim Agreement and the nances, supplies and abets terror. In Note for the Record, the Palestinian these meetings, the Palestinian side side will issue a decree prohibiting all

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forms of incitement to violence or ter- C. Other Issues ror, and establishing mechanisms for 1. Palestinian Police Force acting systematically against all ex- (a) The Palestinian side will provide a list pressions or threats of violence or ter- of its policemen to the Israeli side in ror. This decree will be comparable conformity with the prior agreements. to the existing Israeli legislation which (b) Should the Palestinian side request deals with the same subject. technical assistance, the U.S. has indi- (b) A U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee cated its willingness to help meet will meet on a regular basis to mon- these needs in cooperation with other itor cases of possible incitement to donors. violence or terror and to make rec- (c) The Monitoring and Steering Com- ommendations and reports on how to mittee will, as part of its functions, prevent such incitement. The Israeli, monitor the implementation of this Palestinian and U.S. sides will each provision and brief the U.S. appoint a media specialist, a law en- 2. PLO Charter forcement representative, an edu- cational specialist and a current or The Executive Committee of the Palestine former elected official to the commit- Liberation Organization and the Palestinian tee. Central Council will reaffirm the letter of 22 January 1998 from PLO Chairman Yasir B. Security Cooperation Arafat to President Clinton concerning the The two sides agree that their security co- nullification of the Palestinian National Char- operation will be based on a spirit of partner- ter provisions that are inconsistent with the ship and will include, among other things, letters exchanged between the PLO and the the following steps: Government of Israel on 9/10 September 1. Bilateral Cooperation 1993. PLO Chairman Arafat, the Speaker of There will be full bilateral security co- the Palestine National Council, and the Speaker of the Palestinian Council will invite operation between the two sides which will the members of the PNC, as well as the be continuous intensive and comprehensive. members of the Central Council, the Coun- 2. Forensic Cooperation cil, and the Palestinian Heads of Ministries There will be an exchange of forensic ex- to a meeting to be addressed by President pertise, training, and other assistance. Clinton to reaffirm their support for the 3. Trilateral Committee peace process and the aforementioned deci- In addition to the bilateral Israeli-Palestin- sions of the Executive Committee and the ian security cooperation, a high-ranking U.S.- Central Council. Palestinian-Israeli committee will meet as re- 3. Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters quired and not less than biweekly to assess Among other forms of legal assistance in current threats, deal with any impediments criminal matters, the requests for arrest and to effective security cooperation and coordi- transfer of suspects and defendants pursuant nation and address the steps being taken to to Article II(7) of Annex IV of the Interim combat terror and terrorist organizations. Agreement will be submitted (or resubmit- The committee will also serve as a forum to ted) through the mechanism of the Joint address the issue of external support for ter- Israeli-Palestinian Legal Committee and will ror. In these meetings, the Palestinian side be responded to in conformity with Article will fully inform the members of the commit- II(7)(f) of Annex IV of the Interim Agree- tee of the results of its investigations con- ment within the twelve week period. Re- cerning terrorist suspects already in custody quests submitted after the eighth week will and the participants will exchange additional be responded to in conformity with Article relevant information. The committee will re- II(7)(f) within four weeks of their submis- port regularly to the leaders of the two sides sion. The U.S. has been requested by the on the status of cooperation, the results of sides to report on a regular basis on the steps the meetings and its recommendations. being taken to respond to the above requests.

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4. Human Rights and the Rule of Law days, which will allow commencement of the Pursuant to Article XI(1) of Annex I of the construction of the port. Interim Agreement, and without derogating 5. The two sides recognize that unresolved from the above, the Palestinian Police will legal issues adversely affect the relationship exercise powers and responsibilities to imple- between the two peoples. They therefore will ment this Memorandum with due regard to accelerate efforts through the Legal Commit- internationally accepted norms of human tee to address outstanding legal issues and rights and the rule of law, and will be guided to implement solutions to these issues in the by the need to protect the public, respect shortest possible period. The Palestinian side human dignity, and avoid harassment. will provide to the Israeli side copies of all III. Interim Committees and Economic of its laws in effect. Issues 6. The Israeli and Palestinian sides also will launch a strategic economic dialogue to en- 1. The Israeli and Palestinian sides reaf- hance their economic relationship. They will firm their commitment to enhancing their re- establish within the framework of the JEC lationship and agree on the need actively to an Ad Hoc Committee for this purpose. The promote economic development in the West committee will review the following four Bank and Gaza. In this regard, the parties issues: (1) Israeli purchase taxes; (2) coopera- agree to continue or to reactivate all standing tion in combating vehicle theft; (3) dealing committees established by the Interim with unpaid Palestinian debts; and (4) the Agreement, including the Monitoring and impact of Israeli standards as barriers to Steering Committee, the Joint Economic trade and the expansion of the A1 and A2 Committee (JEC), the Civil Affairs Commit- lists. The committee will submit an interim tee (CAC), the Legal Committee, and the report within three weeks of the entry into Standing Cooperation Committee. force of this Memorandum, and within six 2. The Israeli and Palestinian sides have weeks will submit its conclusions and rec- agreed on arrangements which will permit ommendations to be implemented. the timely opening of the Gaza Industrial Es- 7. The two sides agree on the importance tate. They also have concluded a ‘‘Protocol of continued international donor assistance Regarding the Establishment and Operation to facilitate implementation by both sides of of the International Airport in the Gaza Strip agreements reached. They also recognize the During the Interim Period.’’ need for enhanced donor support for eco- 3. Both sides will renew negotiations on nomic development in the West Bank and Safe Passage immediately. As regards the Gaza. They agree to jointly approach the southern route, the sides will make best ef- donor community to recognize a Ministerial forts to conclude the agreement within a Conference before the end of 1998 to seek week of the entry into force of this Memoran- pledges for enhanced levels of assistance. dum. Operation of the southern route will start as soon as possible thereafter. As re- IV. Permanent Status Negotiations gards the northern route, negotiations will continue with the goal of reaching agreement The two sides will immediately resume as soon as possible. Implementation will take permanent status negotiations on an acceler- place expeditiously thereafter. ated basis and will make a determined effort 4. The Israeli and Palestinian sides ac- to achieve the mutual goal of reaching an knowledge the great importance of the Port agreement by May 4, 1999. The negotiations of Gaza for the development of the Palestin- will be continuous and without interruption. ian economy, and the expansion of Palestin- The U.S. has expressed its willingness to fa- ian trade. They commit themselves to pro- cilitate these negotiations ceeding without delay to conclude an agree- ment to allow the construction and operation V. Unilateral Actions of the port in accordance with the prior Recognizing the necessity to create a posi- agreements. The Israeli-Palestinian Commit- tive environment for the negotiations, nei- tee will reactivate its work immediately with ther side shall initiate or take any step that a goal of concluding the protocol within sixty will change the status of the West Bank and

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the Gaza Strip in accordance with the In- FEHBP enrollees who are injured as a result terim Agreement. of wrongful benefit delay or denial by their This Memorandum will enter into force plan. As I have consistently stated, I believe ten days from the date of signature. that a right without remedy is not a right at all. I strongly believe that Federal employ- Done at Washington, D.C this 23d day of ees should have the right to legally enforce- October 1998. able remedies, including under State law, to B. Netanyahu Y. Arafat For the Government of the State For the PLO protect them when health plans do not pro- of Israel vide contractually obligated patient protec- Witnessed by: William J. Clinton tions. I therefore want to clarify that my en- The United States of America actment of this legislation should in no way NOTE: The joint memorandum was made avail- be construed to indicate my support for this able by the Office of the Press Secretary but was preemption provision. I also would like to re- not issued as a White House press release. The iterate my disappointment that the Congress joint memorandum was accompanied by a has adjourned without passing a Patients’ Bill timeline attachment. On October 28, a press re- of Rights that would give new protections lease version of the memorandum was made avail- and remedies to all Americans, including able on the White House Internet site. This item Federal employees. Assuring that health was not received in time for publication in the appropriate issue. plans provide needed patient protections and adequate remedies will be one of my top pri- orities for the next Congress. Statement on Signing the Federal William J. Clinton Employees Health Care Protection Act of 1998 The White House, October 23, 1998. October 23, 1998 NOTE: H.R. 1836, approved October 19, was as- The Federal Employees Health Care Pro- signed Public Law No. 105–266. An original was tection Act of 1998, H.R. 1836, that I have not available for verification of the content of this signed into law makes several critical im- statement. This item was not received in time for provements to the Federal Employees publication in the appropriate issue. Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). For ex- ample, it gives the Office of Personnel Man- agement’s Inspector General critical new de- Statement on Signing the Omnibus barment authority to crack down on fraudu- Consolidated and Emergency lent providers and, when necessary, to debar Supplemental Appropriations Act, those who defraud the program; it contains 1999 essential new provisions to maintain and im- October 23, 1998 prove consumer choice, the hallmark of FEHBP, by allowing fee-for-service plans to I have signed into law H.R. 4328, the rejoin FEHBP; it makes health care more ‘‘Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency affordable for certain Federal employees and Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999.’’ retirees of the Federal Deposit Insurance This bill represents a significant step for- Corporation and the Federal Reserve Board ward for America. It protects the surplus by allowing them to participate in the until we have saved Social Security for the FEHBP; and finally, it ensures that certain 21st century, contains an agreement to fund Federal physicians who provide high quality the International Monetary Fund, and puts services will receive appropriate compensa- in place critical investments in education and tion for their services, which is critical to at- training, from smaller class sizes to after- tracting and maintaining a high quality Fed- school care, and from summer jobs to college eral physician work force. mentoring. I am pleased that this bill honors I want to note, however, my objection to my commitment to maintain fiscal discipline a provision in this legislation that appears to by providing additional resources for essen- expand preemption of State law remedies for tial new investments, which are fully financed

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