The events of the weekend in the North again demonstrate the progress - and the threats - in the peace process. On one side, the accommodation reached between the Apprentice Boys in Derry and local nationalist residents, which allowed the annual parade to proceed on Saturday, showed a commendable ability to compromise on both sides. On the other, the discovery of an abandoned vehicle in Donegal with 500lbs of home-made explosives, apparently indicating a plan by dissident Republicans to stage a major attack, illustrates that there are still groups intent on maiming and killing.
The agreement between the Apprentice Boys and nationalist residents meant that the annual "Relief of Derry" parade proceeded without major incident, although there were some scuffles along the route. Following the parade both sides expressed confidence that the agreement reached could provide a framework for future parades. The governor of the Apprentice Boys, Mr Alistair Simpson, said those involved in other contentious parades should take note of what happened in Derry, which could be the "flagship of Northern Ireland" in showing a way forward. It is in the nature of such agreements that neither side will be completely happy. But the events of the weekend surely demonstrate that negotiation can produce workable compromises. In previous years clashes during the Derry parade have led to personal injury and to millions of pounds worth of damage to local business.
Damage on a much greater scale could have been caused by the explosives found in the van in Donegal. It had been driven through Derry; the damage which would have been caused if it had exploded in a built-up area would have been enormous. The vehicle was chased by the RUC, who in turn alerted the Garda as it crossed the Border. The bomb was defused in the early hours of Friday morning. Garda experts said it was "in the final stages of preparation".
Credit is due to the police forces on both sides of the Border for the successful apprehension of the explosives. But the mindset of the people intent on planting and setting off the bomb - whether it was intended for the Apprentice Boys parade or for another target - illustrates that evil forces remain intent on destabilising the peace process. Also worrying are the increasing sectarian tensions evident in Belfast in recent days. Early yesterday morning a group of around 50 loyalists violently attacked Catholic houses in North Belfast. This follows the decision by the Ulster Freedom Fighters to suspend its ceasefire in the event of attacks on Protestant areas, announced last Thursday. This in turn followed attacks on some Protestant homes on Wednesday evening.
Rarely has the choice between dialogue and violence been presented so clearly as was the case in Derry this weekend. The dialogue and negotiations which enabled agreement to be reached on the Apprentice Boys march were indeed exemplary, as Mr Simpson indicated. Brokered by local community and business groups, they demonstrate that with patience outcomes in which both sides of the argument find satisfaction can replace the old intransigence. The more such agreements are reached the more those involved will have an interest in disabling the tiny minorities still prepared to use violence to get their way.