THE North faces a tense week as further parades planned between now and the July 12th celebration raise the political stakes and increase the potential for further sectarian violence.
The massive RUC-British army operation yesterday to remove nationalist protesters and to force the Orange parade through Garvaghy Road in Portadown damaged prospects for an early renewal of the IRA ceasefire and was followed quickly by knock-on incidents, including widespread rioting and paramilitary attacks on the security forces.
As the focus switched to the political fall-out, with the Government and the SDLP expected to raise the events on Garvaghy Road at the Stormont multi-party talks tomorrow, it emerged that the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, had apparently left a question mark over his party's continued involvement in the talks process, if a decision were made to ban or re-route the Portadown parade.
Senior unionist sources last night insisted that no explicit threat was made in a discussion between Mr Trimble and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, on Saturday. But they confirmed that Dr Mowlam "would know that his (Mr Trimble's) position would be difficult if not impossible" had the decision gone against the Portadown Orangemen.
In the meantime, sources close to republican thinking said "all bets were off" for the present in relation to a renewed IRA ceasefire.
The episode is thought to have benefited opponents of a ceasefire within the republican movement, and militant youths on the Garvaghy Road were heard chanting a new slogan, "No ceasefire".
The SDLP was furious with the parade decision and wants a meeting with Dr Mowlam as soon as possible. However, senior party sources dismissed out of hand persistent suggestions the SDLP was considering pulling out of the Stormont talks in protest.
There was concern in some Northern political circles when the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, indicated that his decision to permit the march was influenced by the conviction that loyalist paramilitaries would kill members of the Catholic community.
Sources in the mainstream loyalist movement said his remarks were "a bit over the top". Nationalist sources also expressed concern at the implications.
There were unconfirmed reports last night that the Secretary of State and Mr Flanagan had disagreed on their approach to the march early on Saturday morning.
One source claimed that the RUC Chief Constable at that stage favoured a total ban on the Drumcree march, an action which would have required the decision of the Secretary of State.
At a press conference, Mr Flanagan apologised to Garvaghy Road residents for the "gross inconvenience" caused by the security operation. "I would ask the nationalist community to take on board that it was a decision that I would not have taken lightly," he said.
Privately some Government sources were expressing relief that the parade had gone through so quickly this year and that it was "all over now". But others at the highest levels were "devastated" by the decision.
The Northern Secretary blamed intransigence from both Orangemen and Garvaghy Road residents for forcing Mr Flanagan into making his decision to allow the parade go through.
Controversial parades are due to take place at Bellaghy, Co Derry, tonight and on Belfast's Lower Ormeau Road on Saturday. For the first time in five years Derry city will be the location for the July 12th parade of the main lodges in the county.