Camp David timeline

President Clinton and Yasser Arafat meet on day six

Sunday, 2 July 2000
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat says the declaration of a Palestinian state is "irreversible", even if US-sponsored peace talks do not produce a negotiated settlement by a mutually-agreed deadline of 13 September.

Wednesday, 5 July 2000
After much speculation, US President Bill Clinton convenes a Middle East summit on "core issues" to be held at the presidential retreat at Camp David in Maryland. Israel has been pushing for such a summit. The Palestinian leadership says there has not been enough progress to merit it.

Thursday, 6 July 2000
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak specifies five "red lines" around issues which Israel considers to be non-negotiable. These include no return to pre-1967 borders, no deal to hand over occupied east Jerusalem, no recognition of Palestinian refugees' right to return to their homes in what is now Israel.

Tuesday, 11 July 2000

"Fancy meeting you here"

Mr Barak, Mr Arafat and Mr Clinton arrive separately at Camp David. The US president calls for "historic compromise".

Wednesday, 12 July 2000
On the second day of the summit, the news is dominated by Israel's decision to cancel a $250m deal to sell an Awacs early warning radar system to China, which Washington has opposed.

Thursday, 13 July 2000
Mr Clinton spends the day away from Camp David. Mr Arafat and Mr Barak meet for their first private session. Mr Arafat threatens to walk out in anger at American bridging proposals which are "too close" to Israel's negotiating positions, according to Palestinian sources. US withdraws its proposals.

Friday, 14 July 2000

Hanan Ashrawi and two colleagues were turned away by US officials

Three prominent Palestinian figures are prevented from entering Camp David to remind Mr Arafat of his obligations regarding Palestinian refugees and Arab aspirations for east Jerusalem to be the future Palestinian capital. Inside the compound, Mr Arafat and Mr Clinton attend a Sabbath dinner at the invitation of Mr Barak. The leaders hold their second trilateral meeting.

Saturday, 15 July 2000
Low key informal negotiations because of the Jewish Sabbath.

Sunday, 16 July 2000
In an interview with the New York Daily News, Mr Clinton says "some progress" has been made but there is no certainty of success. Teams of experts discuss economic and civil relations and water sharing near the Camp David compound.

Monday, 17 July 2000
Amid reports of talks intensifying and reaching a "crucial" 24 hours, US officials say Mr Clinton has no intention of postponing his departure for a Group of Eight meeting on the Japanese island of Okinawa on Wednesday. Announcement is seen as a way of putting pressure on each side to come to an agreement.

Tuesday, 18 July 2000
In Gaza a Palestinian official says talks are at an "impasse", and says the Palestinian delegation is considering returning home. The Americans deny reports of a crisis in the talks.

Wednesday, 19 July 2000
The US president postpones his departure for the G8 meeting by 24 hours as summit reaches a "pivotal moment". But there is deadlock over the future status of Jerusalem and over Palestinian refugees. The Israeli delegation is reported to have been issued orders to prepare to leave.

Thursday, 20 July 2000

Spokesman Joe Lockhart: News of summit's death was exaggerated

Mr Clinton's spokesman announces "the summit has come to a conclusion without reaching an agreement". However, talks are saved from the brink of collapse as Israeli and Palestinian delegations decide to stay on at Camp David, despite Mr Clinton's departure to G8 summit in Japan. First face-to-face talks between Mr Barak and Mr Arafat for a whole week.

Friday, 21 July 2000
In Jerusalem, a cabinet minister says Israel is ready to accept US proposals concerning Jerusalem, with shared sovereignty in Arab suburbs captured by Israel in 1967. Palestinians opposed anything short of full hand cover. Tension and mistrust prevail as talks wind up for the Jewish Sabbath, which begins on Friday evening.

Saturday, 22 July 2000
Formal talks are put on hold as the Israeli delegation observes the Sabbath. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has lunch with Mr Arafat at her farm in neighbouring Virginia.

Sunday, 23 July 2000
Mr Clinton returns to Camp David at the end of the G8 summit. Separate meetings with head of each delegation. "Some progress" has been achieved during his absence, he says. But Israeli and Palestinian spokesmen say nothing has been agreed.

Monday, 24 July 2000
President Clinton tries to inject new intensity in the talks. Palestinian sources say Mr Arafat is holding out on Jerusalem despite coming under great pressure.