THE UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, is criticised for his role in the upsurge of violence in Northern Ireland in editorials in the New York Times and USA Today.
The New York Times says that the "primary blame for this tragic retreat from sanity belongs with the Irish Republican Army" which broke a 17 month ceasefire.
"But heavy responsibility also rests with Protestant politicians, including David Trimble of the mainstream Ulster Unionist Party. The Unionists have deliberately inflamed the situation by leading provocative marches through Catholic residential neighbourhoods."
The editorial says that the reversal of the ban on the Drumcree march was "one of a series of disastrous British tactical mistakes committed this year on Northern Ireland".
Under the headline, "More Trouble in Ireland", USA Today says that last week's riots were brought on by the Orange Order march through Catholic minority neighbourhoods accompanied by "taunting" which produced predictable results.
"This might be written off as extremist foolishness. But one of the defiant leaders at the barricades posturing for the militants was a participant in the peace talks, the leader of the supposedly moderate Unionist Party."
The editorial said that moderation on the Catholic side had also been undermined.