John Hume: heading south?

Hume Tempted by Irish Presidency

The leader of the main nationalist party in Northern Ireland, John Hume, has said he is moving towards accepting invitations to become the next president of the Irish Republic.

The post becomes vacant next month with the resignation after seven years in office of President Mary Robinson, to become United Nations Human Rights Commissioner.

October 30 has been fixed for an election. Nominations can be made up to September 30. Candidates have to have the support of 20 members of parliament in Dublin. It is reckoned that if Mr Hume did decide to run, he would not be opposed.

Mr Hume, 60, head of Ulster's Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and MP for the Foyle division of Londonderry, indicated his interest in the presidency in an interview with the New York Times newspaper.

He was quoted as saying that, while he had not made up his mind, he was "tending towards" acceptance of offers to be president which had come from both government and opposition political parties in Dublin.

Mr Hume told the paper: "I would be a super salesman for Ireland, trying to bring investment and jobs here."

He is currently on a religious retreat - he is a Roman Catholic - and is due to return to his home in Londonderry later this week.

John Hume has been a pivotal figure in efforts to find a solution to the Northern Ireland conflict. His departure from that role would dismay most negotiators on all sides.

But his clear move towards considering the Irish presidency could show that Mr Hume believes there is now an end in sight to his work for a Northern Ireland settlement, according to some observers in Dublin.

Mr Hume has been mentioned as a possible candidate before. Other potential candidates, according to speculation, are the former Irish Prime Minister, Albert Reynolds, and opposition politicians Mary Bannoti and Avril Doyle.