THE Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are considering attending the launch of all party talks in Belfast on June 10th. Although no decision has been made, it is understood that plans are being made for the two leaders to be present.
Mr Bruton indicated to Mr Major yesterday in a telephone conversation that it would be helpful if he made a major speech offering reassurances that +he talks would be serious.
During the telephone call which was initiated by Dublin, the two leaders reviewed the peace process and preparations for the opening of talks. One British official described the 10 minute conversation as "a quick run over the course".
There was mounting speculation last night that the former US senator, Mr George Mitchell, may be invited to play a key role in the all party negotiations.
Senior British sources insisted "not decisions have been made" about the chairmanship of the strands in the negotiation process to follow the North's elections on May 30th. But it is understood a possible role for Senator Mitchell who chaired the International Body on Decommissioning, and whose report will be central to the negotiations was discussed at Tuesday's meeting between Mr Major and the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble.
The case for Senator Mitchell's involvement will be pressed again tomorrow when the liaison group of British and Irish officials meets in London. Irish ministers, and officials believe Senator Mitchell's re engagement could be crucial to attempts to have the IRA ceasefire reinstated. One source yesterday said the appointment of Senator Mitchell, possibly as chairman of the Strand Two North/South talks, would provide "a very strong guide" to the British government's serious intent, and the assurance necessary that the negotiations would be "for real".
Despite strong opposition by the Democratic Unionist Party leader, the Rev Ian Paisley there are signs that the UUP may be preparing to drop its objection to a resumed role for Senator Mitchell. One senior MP told The Irish Times: "The current of (British) government thinking" appeared to favour it. He added: "If anybody can get Sinn Fein to accept it (the Mitchell Report), he can.
A second Ulster Unionist MP described the proposition as a dangerous gamble" before adding: "I would applaud my colleagues if they were prepared to take it. I don't think Mitchell would run the gauntlet of majority anger by sacrificing his integrity and independence. He didn't the first time around."
However, it remains unclear whether the UUP envisages a role for Senator Mitchell confined to the methods of decommissioning arising from his report. That would be strenuously opposed by the Irish Government. One senior source said: "That would not be a good use of his talents", adding that Senator Mitchell should be "engaged on the widest front".
It also emerged last night that" there is still no understanding between London and Dublin as to what will happen on June 10th, or how the British government intends to prevent the decommissioning issue from blocking discussion on all other issues.
Irish pressure is set to mount on London over the coming week to define how the process is to be advanced. Sources yesterday stressed that the Irish Government's credibility is "more and more on the line" and that the assurance that a meaningful process of negotiation will ensue would have a crucial impact on, the attitude of the nationalist community towards the elections.