Meeting to end dispute over Derry parade positive, says Hume

A SECOND meeting between nationalist and loyalist representatives aimed at resolving the controversy over the planned contentious Apprentice Boys parade in Derry on August 10th has been described as positive and constructive.

The Apprentice Boys in Derry and the Bogside Residents' Group met at the Guildhall yesterday under the chairmanship of the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, in his capacity as local MP, and a further meeting is planned.

"The discussions were positive and constructive and each side will now consult with its membership before meeting again in order to pursue agreement", Mr Hume said in a brief statement.

Earlier, the Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said it was not sufficient for the Apprentice Boys just to meet the Bogside Residents' Group.

The organisation must be similarly prepared to meet other residents in areas such as Dunloy in Co Antrim, and the Lower Ormeau in Belfast who also had reservations about Apprentice Boys' parades on August 10th.

Such a process of parallel discussions should begin immediately. This would greatly enhance the possibility of reaching an overall agreement which will remove the tension and conflict which habitually accompanies many Apprentice Boys' marches as they make their way to Derry, said Mr McLaughlin.

Meanwhile, trade union leaders in Northern Ireland have called for an independent inquiry into the disturbances arising from the Drumcree standoff which caused economic damage and prevented workers getting to their jobs.

The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions yesterday complained to the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, about the lack of political leadership in the North and about the return of heightened sectarianism.

Mr Tom Gillen, deputy Northern officer of the ICTU, also complained about the RUC's uneven handling of demonstrations in which roads were blocked and people stopped from getting to work.

"I have personal experience of being stopped by maybe 10 or 12 police officers to be told that I could not proceed along the road because it was being blocked by five or six young children. We don't think that is the rule of law being applied firmly", he added.

"The amount of business lost must have, been enormous, and what worries us is the return of sectarianism to the workplace. There was considerable intimidation of workers and we believe it could have been prevented given that a year had passed since previous trouble at Drumcree", said Mr Gillen.