Nationalists have accused the Orange Order of a deliberate act of provocation after its decision to switch its main July 12th parade to the Ormeau Road in protest at the Parades Commission's decision to ban the local Ballynafeigh lodge from marching down the nationalist part of the road.
The SDLP and Sinn Fein said the order was trying to create a Drumcree situation in Belfast. Normally the main Twelfth parade makes its way from Belfast city centre to Edenderry, on the outskirts of the city.
However, the order yesterday announced that instead its members will march to the Ormeau Road. The Parades Commission will have to rule on the new route. The order's Belfast Deputy Grand Master, Mr Dawson Bailey, said: "We don't want a confrontation with anybody. We are not upping the ante. We simply feel that we must show solidarity with our brethren in Ballynafeigh who have been prevented from exercising their democratic rights. We want it to be a peaceful day."
At least 20,000 Orangemen and thousands of supporters plan to converge on Ormeau Park, which is separated from the nationalist Lower Ormeau by a bridge. The order has said the parade will be heavily marshalled and no attempt will be made to enter the nationalist part of the road or develop a standoff situation.
Mr Gerard Rice of the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community group described the proposals as "absolute madness". He said: "Given the currently tense time, I don't think it is possible to bring 20,000 Orangemen to a flashpoint such as the Ormeau Road and say you are going to control the day."
It is understood a special meeting will have to be held by Belfast City Council to decide if the order can use the park. Unionists are one vote short of a majority on the council and would require the support of the Alliance Party. The order has said that if the council turns down its request it will hold the rally on the street.
An SDLP Assembly member, Ms Carmel Hanna, described the order's plans as "hare-brained". "They will be bringing tens of thousands of people in very close proximity to a flashpoint. It will put an intolerable strain on the RUC." A Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Sean Hayes, said: "The plan to use the Ormeau Park is a bid to create a Drumcree situation here in Belfast. It is highly irresponsible and provocative."
The Parades Commission said it would not change its decision on the Ballynafeigh parade.
Meanwhile, in the Seanad yesterday the Taoiseach warned that failure to fully implement the Belfast Agreement could mean the changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution not going ahead.