It is being said that if the Irish and British governments send a letter to the saintly George Mitchell, who brokered the Belfast Agreement, asking him to return to the North to resolve the deadlock, they are likely to get a solicitor's letter back. Mitchell said a couple of weeks ago that he had to work to earn a living. And no wonder. Whatever he got for his five years of toil in the North - and the governments gave him something, but won't say what (a per diem stipend perhaps) - as a hotshot lawyer and partner in a top Washington legal firm he is most definitely in the megabucks league.
Meanwhile, various Northern factions were touring the US last week, explaining their positions and endeavouring to ensure the vital Irish-American opinion blamed anyone but them. Most prominent was Northern Secretary, Peter Mandelson, who undertook a barrage of media activity designed to vindicate his suspension of the Assembly and win the propaganda battle. Also there were David Trimble and Martin McGuinness. They will all be back again for St Patrick's Day. Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen have two full days of engagements. On March 16th they attend Speaker Dennis Hastert's lunch on Capitol Hill and the America-Ireland Fund dinner that night. On March 17th, there's breakfast with Madeleine Albright, then the shamrock ceremony at the White House, lunch with the Irish-America Economic Advisory Board, the White House reception at 6 p.m. and the Irish Embassy party at 9 p.m. The only big event they won't be at is the British ambassador, Sir Christopher Meyer's lunch at his residence on March 17th. Mandelson will be guest of honour and the guest list extends from Trimble to Gerry Adams. Everyone is again expected at the White House and later at the Irish Embassy.