The Sinn Fein TD, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain, has urged the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, to show leadership and take his seat at the multiparty talks due to start at Stormont next month.
He said that rather than presenting a threat to unionists, his party was offering the hand of friendship. Mr O Caolain was addressing a rally to commemorate the 26th anniversary of internment. The turnout was down on previous years, with about 3,000 people taking part.
Marchers converged from all over Belfast on the peaceful rally at City Hall. As the crowds made their way down the Falls Road, however, a masked man and a woman in paramilitary uniform appeared outside the headquarters of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the INLA's political wing. They hung a banner from the building which read "Belfast Brigade INLA".
Noraid, Troops Out and Basque delegations took part in the parade.
Addressing the rally, Mr O Caolain said republicans wanted to embrace unionists. "Our message to the unionist people is one of brotherhood and sisterhood, facing the future together," he said.
Mr Trimble had no reason not to attend all-party negotiations. "He has nothing to fear but fear itself. Not availing of that opportunity would represent a lack of courage. We put the challenge to him that September 15th is when the train leaves, not somebody else's train, but our train to a new beginning."
He said that "unionists must be at the talks table . . . it is all our futures that we seek to address, we do not seek domination". He praised the courage of the Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Ken Maginnis, who will take part in a face-to-face debate with the Sinn Fein MP, Mr Martin McGuinness, on BBC television's Newsnight programme tomorrow.
He said both men were providing an example to their communities. It did not need to be a battle of mindsets, but two politicians pointing the way forward.
Mr O Caolain urged unionists to be flexible and imaginative. "We make an appeal from this platform today to those who do not share our views to take the opportunity to open their minds, open their thought processes to the very idea that we represent. Because, at the end of the day, we represent an idea whose time has come."
He said that he wanted to see a new type of unionism, "the unionism that we represent is the unity of the people of the island of Ireland, the coming together of various strands".
As the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, was criticised by unionists for hinting at the possibility of early releases for republicans if the IRA ceasefire held, Mr O Caolain demanded their immediate freedom.
He emphasised the need for parity of esteem for nationalists, demanded an end to anti-Catholic discrimination in employment and called for equal rights for the Irish language.