The Orange Order stressed yesterday that the decision to scale down plans to hold a single July 12th demonstration in Portadown, Co Armagh, does not suggest a weakening of support for the Drumcree standoff.
Mr George Patton, executive officer of the Grand Orange Lodge, confirmed that Belfast, Tyrone and Co Down lodges have voted to hold traditional demonstrations in their own districts.
"It is my understanding that these three counties have said they want to hold their own 12th celebrations, but five other districts have still to decide whether to go to Drumcree."
He denied that the decision not to take part in the mass demonstration had anything to do with a decline in support for the standoff. He said lodges had expressed a willingness to travel to Portadown after their local parades.
It is understood that lodges in Fermanagh, Derry and Antrim are also expected to hold local parades.
Up to 100,000 Orangemen were expected to attend in support of Portadown Lodge, which has been engaged in a standoff since last summer when it was prevented from marching down the nationalist Garvaghy Road.
The SDLP Assembly member for Upper Bann, Ms Brid Rodgers, said the decision was a step towards creating a less threatening atmosphere.
Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith, spokesperson for the Garvaghy Residents' Coalition, last night described the development as a cynical ploy. However, he earlier noted that unionist and nationalist representatives were moving towards a better understanding of each other's positions.
It is understood that a public meeting on the Garvaghy Road to discuss the latest developments is to be held on Sunday, and a third meeting of local elected representatives is being organised, scheduled to take place on Monday.
The Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Andrew MacKay said the "sensible decision" to revert back to organising Drumcree as a local parade must be welcomed.
However, the Sinn Fein Assembly member for Upper Bann, Dr Dara O'Hagan, said the decision to leave open the option of Orangemen being able to go to Drumcree afterwards would worry residents.
Mr Ian Paisley jnr, of the DUP, said the announcement would cause disillusionment among loyalists. "They have got to make a decisive stand on Drumcree. If you bring 100,000 Orangemen to Drumcree this July, they will get down the road; if you don't, they won't."
Earlier, Mr David Jones, spokesman for the Portadown Orangemen, said any solution to the Drumcree dispute worked out at talks organised by Mr David Trimble must be endorsed by the Portadown Orange Lodge.