A chara, - Current events in Northern Ireland have been regrettably predictable.
The Orange Order, having grown accustomed over the last 70 years to always getting its own way, has shown fantastic arrogance in expecting to be allowed to march down the Garvaghy Road without seeking to engage in dialogue of any sort, either with the residents of the area or with the Parades Commission. Having always been in a position of power, they have had no need to develop the type of tactical and negotiational skills which the nationalists have grown so adept at and have therefore driven themselves into a corner of an all or nothing solution.
In my view, it will be nothing. Unionist support seems to be lower than it was in the past and British Government and RUC determination to resist seems greater. Indeed, this may well turn out to be a defining moment for the Orange Order, the moment when the Orange card will finally be trumped. The cruel irony is of course that it is the very State to which they profess their unwavering loyalty that now seeks to curb their historic right to trample over the rights of the minority. - Is mise, Jonathan Blake,
Frankfurt am Main,
Germany.