SINN FEIN president, Mr Gerry Adams, has urged political, religious and community leaders to do all they can to defuse the growing tension over planned Orange Order marches through nationalist areas.
"This problem must be addressed and resolved on a six county basis. It is time that this issue was tackled properly and an accommodation reached which applies to every area.
"So far, despite widespread solidarity, it has fallen upon those who live in isolated communities to bear the brunt of campaigning against unwanted Orange marches. This is unfair. Those who live in these communities whether in Roslea, the Garvaghy Road, or the lower Ormeau should be relieved of the burden of dealing with this contentious issue."
Mr Adams questioned what the Rev Ian Paisley and Mr David Trimble hoped to achieve by pursuing a "course of action which is confrontational and provocative".
There were now twice as many Orange marches every year 3,000 as there were in the early 1970s. "By and large, nationalists and others are very tolerant of these marches. "Sinn Fein accepts that the Orange Order has the right to march. The Orange Order should respect this position."