An initiative to resolve the crisis in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast was announced yesterday by the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Last night politicians and community groups were studying the two-pronged initiative, which proposes immediate mediation to deal with the crisis at the Holy Cross Girls Primary School. A more formal mechanism would be set up for talks to address a range of social, economic and community issues both now and in the longer term. The Secretary of State and the Executive would be involved in this.
Officials from the NIO and the Executive will have consultations with community leaders in both nationalist and loyalist areas on Monday.
Mr John White, a representative of the UDP, which has links the Ulster Defence Association, said it was "a small first step that may lead to something better". But he stressed: "Residents will want an acknowledgment that Glenbryn is a loyalist area and will stay a loyalist area."
Mr Alban Maginess of the SDLP described the initiative as a positive step forward. "It is a helpful intervention by the government and I hope it will pave the way for a resolution early next week. This has to be done quickly."
Mr Fred Cobain, a UUP Assembly member for North Belfast, welcomed the plan. "This area has some of the worst housing in western Europe." He said there was "a real danger" of the Ardoyne dispute spreading if key issues were not addressed. The announcement by the Northern Secretary, the acting First Minister, Sir Reg Empey, and the acting Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, reiterated that dialogue was essential between the communities in north Belfast. "Such dialogue can only be effective if exchanges take place in a constructive and peaceful atmosphere. We appeal to all concerned to ensure that this is the case," they said.
The announcement said that extensive contacts had taken place with people living in the area.
There was also substantial agreement about the issues to be addressed. "For an effective mechanism to be created, there needs to be careful preparation to ensure that there is confidence across the community."
Later, on BBC radio, Sir Reg said that the dialogue could not be forced. Nothing of any substance could be possible while there was a major crisis on the ground. Since he cut short his holiday and returned to Belfast on Thursday, Dr Reid has had discussions with the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and the governors of the Holy Cross Primary School.
Earlier in the day, Dr Reid said the UDA ceasefire was being monitored by the government and there was increasing evidence that many elements of the UDA were involved in sectarian violence.
He was conscious that a declaration on the ceasefire could make matters worse and drive more members back to violence. But he said: "I will take any action on any ceasefire if I judge that to be appropriate but I have to judge it in the round. I wouldn't want to pretend that declaring they have broken the ceasefire is some magic wand."
Meanwhile, a three-man delegation from the Ulster Unionist Party leaves for the US on Tuesday to brief the Bush Administration on the peace process.