"In recent weeks, I have become concerned by the increasingly bitter divisions in our party," Trump wrote. "The prospect seems very real for competing conventions and continued strife among the factions of the party."

In another twist, Reform Party chairman Jack Gargan on Tuesday called an emergency national convention of all members March 18-19 in Chicago to attempt to work out differences.

He said the discussion could include the contentious issue of a party convention site and whether he should remain chairman.

As for Trump, the wealthy New Yorker characterized himself as "very interested" in running, but believes his prospects for victory will be hampered if the fighting and "fratricide" continue.

Trump is said to be intrigued by the results of Iowa's caucuses, believing that the winners -- Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Democratic Vice President Al Gore -- would be vulnerable in November.

"He'd like to run but the party is melting down before our very eyes," said Trump's strategist, Roger Stone.

Trump asked Ventura and Perot to use their leadership to negotiate a truce. Ventura was on vacation and not available for comment; Perot hasn't spoken to the media in months and was unavailable.

The party has been battling over a convention site and presidential politics. Ventura's supporters want the event in St. Paul. Perot's allies want it in Long Beach, Calif. Ventura is close to Trump, while Perot's allies tend to prefer Pat Buchanan, the former Republican who is seeking the Reform Party presidential nomination. Ventura supports national Chairman Jack Gargan, while Perot allies view him as a problem.

Campaigning in Alabama, Buchanan said his relationship with Perot is "relatively nonexistent." He praised Perot as the "father" of the movement, but said he has not had personal contact with the Dallas-based billionaire in years.

The Ventura-Perot factional warfare recently expanded into a formal effort to oust Gargan, possibly during an unusual meeting of the party's national committee Feb. 12 in Nashville, Tenn. Gargan said his proposed March meeting would supersede the Nashville session.

Gargan said Trump's letter only needed to go to Perot.

"All (Perot) has to do is say the word and they will back off their persistent road-blocking of everything we need to do to move this party forward," Gargan said.

Russell Verney, a Perot ally and employee in the billionaire's Dallas offices, welcomed Trump's effort.

"No question in my mind it will be worked out. The party is bigger than any of this momentary confusion that's going on," Verney said.

But Verney balked at allowing the convention anyplace other than California.

"I haven't heard any reason why we would go anywhere else," Verney said.

Off the Trump letter, Ventura spokesman John Wodele said, "I'm sure that if he received a request from Mr. Trump he would give it due consideration because ultimately Governor Ventura is interested in the Reform Party having a credible candidate for the presidency."