THE United States is urging the British government to have an independent parades commission "up and running" before the next marching season. The North report on parades and marches is praised for its "valuable insights and recommendations".
A White House spokesman said the US administration hoped that the independent commission recommended in the North report would be "up and running in time to make a difference and help avoid a repeat of last summer's bitter confrontations."
The spokesman, Mr Mike McCurry, praised the "valuable insights and recommendations" in the North report. But he said that "last summer's events cost the people of Northern Ireland dearly, both economically and politically". It was "vital for future political progress in Northern Ireland that ways be found of bringing the two communities together so as to complete the peace process that holds out so much hope for the people and to avoid these annual confrontations."
Mr McCurry replied in diplomatic fashion when asked if the British government's decision to hold further consultations on the report's key proposal - to give the commission powers over the police - could weaken the aim of the report.
He said that the British Government was in a better position to describe its rationale for implementing the recommendations of the North report but that "others will evaluate its effectiveness".
Senator Edward Kennedy was more outspoken. In a statement yesterday he said he was "surprised and disappointed by the British government's inability to deal with this issue in a timely way, and give the proposed independent Parades Commission the full powers to deal effectively with controversial parades."
Senator Kennedy said: "The ongoing delay means that adequate steps to avoid further violence may not be in place before the marching season begins. I hope the British government will reconsider this position and immediately give the commission the powers it obviously needs."
The White House clearly shares the sense of urgency in Senator Kennedy's statement but is not prepared to criticise the British government in such overt fashion.
President Clinton and aides were shocked by the scenes at Drumcree and its aftermath last summer, and will be trying to ensure that there will not be a repetition this year. But putting overt pressure on Britain could be counterproductive and provoke a loyalist reaction.
An administration official said they were aware that an election was pending in Britain and that the government's decision to consult further on the most sensitive - North recommendation was seen in the US in that light.
"We're giving the British government room to do the right thing," the official said.