THE British government has gambled on sealing off part of the walls of Derry in an effort to prevent serious disorder in the North during this coming weekend's Apprentice Boys parade in the city.
Unionists reacted with outrage to the decision, which was taken by the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, on the advice of the RUC chief constable, Sir Hugh Annesely. Leading unionist and nationalist politicians, however, also appealed for calm and restraint over the coming days.
Sir Patrick admitted that if the Apprentice Boys were not prohibited from proceeding along the 150 yard stretch of the walls over looking the nationalist Bogside, the resources of the RUC and the British army might not be able to contain any resultant violence.
Sir Hugh Annesley said that if the contentious length of the walls was not denied to "both marchers and (nationalist) protesters, serious disorder will undoubtedly ensue."
Last night the British army was using heaving lifting machinery to block off the Western section of the walls as locals watched. In an additional security measure, 500 soldiers from the Princess of Wales British army regiment were recalled to the North to provide extra back up for the RUC.
Roads leading to the walls were last night closed to both pedestrians and vehicles. Security screens and large bollards designed to prevent pedestrian access were erected on the disputed stretch of the walls, known as the Grand Parade.
The Government had received no advance notice of the Northern Ireland Secretary's decision, an official spokesman said in Dublin last night.
The spokesman added that the Government had not requested Mr Mayhew to take such a decision and, noting Mr Mayhew's undertaking to reverse his decision if there was agreement, the spokesman said the Government hoped efforts to reach an agreement would be successful.
Despite the decision to ban all parades along this section of the walls until the end of August, there are still fears of major disruption in Derry and elsewhere in the North this weekend.
A similar initial decision by the chief constable at Drumcree last month failed to resolve that standoff. Eventually, Sir Hugh was forced to back down on his decision. Widespread disorder resulted.
There is now anxiety that there may be a loyalist backlash to the decision, and a possible stand off in Derry involving the Apprentice Boys as well as possible violent republican reaction subsequently. More than 15,000 Apprentice Boys and supporters are expected in Derry for Saturday's parade.
There are also several other flashpoint areas where there is serious potential for nationalist and loyalist confrontation, as Apprentice Boys mobilise before travelling to Derry.
Because of these concerns, which are allied to fears that republican and loyalist paramilitaries could enter the equation, there were appeals for calm in Derry and elsewhere around the North as tensions continue to mount in the run up to Saturday's parade, and a planned nationalist parade in the city tomorrow night.
Mr Alistair Simpson, governor of the Apprentice Boys in Derry - who was involved in a series of unsuccessful talks with the Bogside Residents Group (BRG) and with church leaders in the city in an effort to reach an accommodation - last night said he now feared the worst.
"There is now no sense in trying to make a deal. The whole thing is up in the air. It's a sad day for Northern Ireland and for the Protestant people of this city. They now feel sealed off as much as the walls. I feel for Saturday, and I am sad for Saturday, because I don't know what Saturday is going to bring to this city," he said.
Mr John Taylor, the Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader, said that Sir Patrick's decision was taken because of "threats of violence by republican extremists from the Bogside". However, he urged that the Apprentice Boys - proceed with "dignity and peace", and that anyone who engaged in violence should be dealt with firmly.
Mr Gregory Campbell, DUP councillor in Derry, said that unionists could "not wear" the decision. But he also appealed for calm and further negotiation to have the decision reversed.
The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, who chaired the unsuccessful talks between the two sides, said he could understand the annoyance of the Apprentice Boys. The best resolution was one that was negotiated locally, and he appealed to the two sides to find a compromise. "It is still not too late."
The Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams, appealed to nationalists and republicans to exercise discipline and restraint. The Catholic Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, speaking before Sir Patrick announced his decision, said everyone in the city must pull back from what could be a "very explosive situation". The BRG said it would take time to consider the decision before reacting.
Speaking during a visit to Belfast, the Fianna Fail deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, said her party would have preferred a locally negotiated solution. She hoped Sir Patrick Mayhew's decision would be useful in the short term, and said "if it helps to ease the tension for Saturday then it is to be welcomed". She also called on the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, to send Ministers and/or Ministers of State to observe Saturday's march.
However, the Taoiseach has requested Fine Gael members to cancel plans to observe the weekend's events in Derry. Speaking from France, where he is on holidays, Mr Bruton said he did not want Fine Gael to be seen as "partisan" in any way.
The chairman of the Progressive Democrats, Senator John Dardis, has appealed to the Bogside Residents' Association to cancel the march planned for tomorrow night.