PRESIDENT Clinton telephoned Mr John Major from Air Force One yesterday to review developments following the collapse of the IRA ceasefire.
As the two men spoke, Downing Street sources again made it clear they were not envisaging a role for the former US senator, Mr George Mitchell, in attempting to revive the Northern Ireland peace process.
Mr Mitchell had a half hour meeting with the British Prime Minister at Downing Street yesterday, before his return to the United States. And while some Irish sources agreed they could see a further role for Mr Mitchell and believed he would accept one they also confirmed British "reticence" on the idea at least at this point.
One idea floated yesterday was that Mr Mitchell would be an ideal choice as chairman for any future talks under Strand 2 of the talks process, involving the British and Irish governments and the Northern parties. But it is far from clear that Mr Mitchell would be acceptable to the unionist parties in such a capacity.
Should all party negotiations finally get under way, the Mitchell report itself has identified the appointment of an international commission to oversee a decommissioning process as a matter for discussion between the parties. In London on Thursday, Mr Mitchell said the reestablishment of the International Body would be a matter for decision by the two governments.
Senator Mitchell said he was optimistic yesterday that the British and Irish governments would be able to find an "approach" to revive the peace process.
Following his meeting with Mr Major, Mr Mitchell said the recent IRA bomb attacks in London had made a "difficult situation more difficult", but he felt that the peace process could be restored.
"I am convinced they [Mr Major and Mr Bruton] are mined to move forward and believe it is possible to make progress. They will see that progress does occur," he said.
Asked if he still had a role to play in the process, Senator, Mitchell reaffirmed the US government's "helpful and supportive" stance but said it was a matter for the two governments to decide. "I am not here as a mediator," he added.
Senator Mitchell stressed that, all the parties had agreed on the need for all party negotiations reach a political settlement in Northern Ireland, but the problem was the approach to the talks.