WHILE Mr George Mitchell is expected to travel to Ireland later this week for discussions on his role in the peace talks, no arrangement has yet been made for him to meet the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble.
Mr Trimble will be in Washington on June 17th to "update" the American press on the peace process. He will then go on to speaking engagements in New York, Boston and Toronto.
Some surprise has been expressed that Mr Trimble should engage in a speaking tour while the peace negotiations are at such an early stage. But a senior official in the UUP, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, told The Irish Times that while these are "longstanding engagements" they will be "subject to what happens in the talks" and he will stay in Northern Ireland "if required".
Mr Donaldson said that no arrangement has been made so far for Mr Trimble to meet the former senator, but a high level UUP delegation would be in London today to discuss Mr Mitchell's future role with the British government.
Mr Mitchell has been travelling extensively in recent times, notably to South America, and has made it clear that he does not wish to speak publicly about his future role until both governments have reached an agreement on it.
He is believed to have told a number of congressmen with a special interest in the peace process that he intends to travel to Ireland later this week.
The same congressmen also believe that the British government is opposed to Mr Mitchell chairing the North South strand of the negotiations. The Government is pushing for such a role for Mr Mitchell.
The White House view is that the role for Mr Mitchell is essentially for the two governments to decide. Mr Mitchell's official title is Special Adviser to the President and for Economic Initiatives in Ireland. He has an office in the State Department and a small staff.
The Northern Ireland elections were completely overshadowed here by the Israeli elections. The media carried short agency style reports putting the emphasis on the Sinn Fein gains. The comment columns in the weekend press have been dominated by the new situation in Israel and how the US must adjust its policy to it.
Frank Millar writes from London: Mr Trimble confirmed last night that he remains ready to meet Mr Mitchell. But he wishes to be assured that Mr Mitchell is committed to the implementation of the international body's report.
The UUP leader is expected to press Mr Major on the shape of an emerging agreement with Dublin over the procedures for the talks process when they meet at 10 Downing Street later this evening.