PRESIDENT Clinton may make a second visit to Ireland in midsummer, according to sources in Washington. Tentative plans are being discussed in the White House for Mr Clinton to visit Ballybunion. Co Kerry, and play the round of golf which had been originally scheduled with the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, for December.
A second Irish visit would achieve several purposes. apart from fulfilling Mr Clinton's desire to play golf at Ballybunion.
It would inevitably provide an opportunity for the US president to meet Government leaders and focus on the progress of the peace process. A second visit with the inevitable cheering crowds, would also remind Irish American voters in the run up to the presidential election in November of Mr Clinton's positive role in supporting peace in Northern Ireland.
Mr Clinton shortened his visit to the Republic in December because of developments concerning Bosnia. Instead of travelling to the west on December 2nd after one day in Dublin, he flew to a US army base in southern Germany for a morale boosting encounter with US troops preparing to leave for Bosnia.
Some White House officials including press spokesman Mr Mike McCurry, are looking at the possibility of Mr Clinton making up for that with a brief trip to the Republic on Friday tune 29th or Saturday June 30th. official sources confirmed yesterday. This would immediately follow the president's attendance at a summit from June 27th to 29th of the Group of Seven world economic leaders in Lyon, France.
The G7 summit give would him a chance to visit Ireland on the return journey and his probably the best opportunity for the president to make a second visit to Ireland", said an administration official. Mr Clinton also abandoned plans in December to hold a reception at Dromoland Castle for the Government in return for a State dinner in Dublin Castle. This could also be resurrected.
The president plans to visit Bosnia in the coming weeks, probably in early February, to see US troops, who form the largest element of the Nato force there. Officials said, however, it would probably not be considered appropriate for Mr Clinton to play golf on his return from meeting troops who are enduring the hardships of a Bosnian winter. However. June would be an opportune time and would make sense logistically," an official said.
The president and his party were genuinely overwhelmed by the warmth of the reception they received in Belfast, Derry and Dublin and the prospect of a repeat performance, although on a lesser scale, is alluring to officials eager to display him in a positive light in the run up to the presidential election in November.
Sources emphasised that there has been no White House staff meeting to plan a second Irish visit and that the National Security Council, which meticulously planned the successful autumn trip, is not making plans for a second visit at this stage.