THE President, Mrs Robinson, has said the situation in Northern Ireland will influence her decision on whether to stand for a second term when she makes up her mind early next year. She also indicated family considerations will play a part.
The President is using her visits to Boston and New York this week to urge improvements in how the United Nations deals with international conflict and humanitarian crises.
While there is no indication in these speeches, to UN associations in both cities, that she is a candidate to succeed the UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, they will revive speculation about her chances. According to Irish sources, the speeches show that "her hat is still in the ring".
Mrs Robinson will meet Dr Boutros Ghali when she accepts the global leadership award of the UN Association of New York tonight, the US has stated it will veto the renewal of his mandate, which expires at the end of this year, the 73 year old former Egyptian diplomat may yet be offered a one year extension as a compromise.
Such an extension would coincide with the end of the President's seven year term of office, which, she has said, she wants to complete. She has also said that she would have to consider the post of UN secretary general if it were offered to her.
In an interview with the Boston Herald, President Robinson explained why Northern Ireland would be a factor in her decision about a second term. She said: "I'm very conscious that I have a lot of contacts with people who know that my interest is one of friendship and support, with no hidden agenda.
"I'm not in any way saying that anybody is irreplaceable in a particular position, but I think it is a factor that I would weigh very carefully as to whether I felt there was a possibility of being genuinely supportive at a particular time."
Later President Robinson flew to New York, where she attended the Co operation Ireland dinner and presented an award to the former senator, Mr George Mitchell, for his contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.