THE Northern Secretary has appealed, to Orangemen to show "generosity" regarding further contentious parade routes in the North. Dr Mo Mowlam said loyalist threats had not persuaded her to allow Sunday's parade through Garvaghy Road.
She also said the Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble, had not told her he would resign from the talks process if Orangemen were rerouted from Garvaghy Road. "He did not threaten it to me. If it had been threatened I would have taken no notice."
Responding to journalists' questions on nationalist feeling following the RUC Chief Constable's decision to allow Sunday's Orange parade and virtually to imprison Catholic residents in their homes, Dr Mowlam said: "I do not feel that I have betrayed them." She said she was embarking on a further round of talks with the Orange Order about parade routes.
"I intend to meet representatives of both residents' groups and the loyal orders today or during the week. When I see members of the Orange Order today, I will expect to see some willingness and understanding of the events of this weekend reflected in their words and actions during the days ahead.
"There can be no triumphalism. We will continue to work to resolve disputes during the rest of this week but I can only do it if the people involved on both sides are willing."
She added: "I recognise the disappointment and the anger which many people are feeling. I, too, am disappointed. It should have been possible for the two sides in this dispute to have found an accommodation. Having put all my efforts into trying to bring that about and to avoid an unpopular decision having to be taken, I recognise what a setback this is.
"I understand the anger of the nationalist community but nothing justifies the orchestrated violence we have seen over the past 24 hours. I appeal to everyone and all those with influence to call for an end to violence immediately.
Asked about the Taoiseach's expression of disappointment about the decision to let the march through, Dr Mowlam said she respected Mr Ahern's view and fully endorsed his comment that the weekend should not be allowed to block progress towards an overall peace settlement. "We all have to look at the bigger picture," she said.
Dr Mowlam, who previously visited Garvaghy Road, said she had not betrayed, the residents by failing to inform them in advance of the RUC's decision to barricade their estate and allow the Orangemen through. She said she had telephoned the residents' association on Saturday morning. "I did all I could," she said.