The extent of the armed violence and criminality displayed on the streets of Northern Ireland in recent days should provide us with a salutary reminder of the fragility of the peace process and the distance that has to be travelled if a relationship based on equality, partnership and mutual respect is to be created between the two communities.
Much of the rioting has been orchestrated by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) for its own nefarious purposes. But that illegal organisation was facilitated in its destructive aims by the political ambivalence of both the Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party and by the sheer incompetence of leadership within the Orange Order.
Loyalists are said to be frustrated and angry over what they see as a range of concessions to republicans and nationalists and the high profiles enjoyed by Sinn Féin leaders. PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde spoke of loyalist working-class areas being "disenfranchised". This has been reflected by the virtual collapse of those political organisations linked to loyalist paramilitary groups.
A lack of effective local political leadership has been exacerbated by "turf wars" between rival organisations over the lucrative drugs trade. Paramilitary feuding recently spilled over into a campaign of intimidation and assassination involving the UVF and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.
A contentious Orange Order parade in Belfast last Saturday was seized upon by the UVF as an opportunity to flex its paramilitary muscle and to respond to the policing pressure it has been subjected to in recent weeks. The local Orange Order failed to respond to the danger after the Parades Commission rerouted its march in West Belfast.
Instead, it called for people to march in protest. In much the same way, Democratic Unionist Party leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, and Ulster Unionist Party leader, Sir Reg Empey, added to loyalist disaffection by criticising the decision by the Parades Commission.
When the violence came on Saturday night, it was highly organised and bloody. Police officers were fired upon in a number of areas and blast bombs, petrol bombs, pipe bombs and paint bombs were in general use. Attempts were made to spread disorder when loyalists tried to break into nationalist areas. Since then, cars and buses have been hijacked and set alight and some of the worst rioting in recent years took place. It was a frightening display of anarchy and wanton destruction.
Unionists have reached a moment of choice, as Secretary of State Peter Hain remarked. They must decide between giving support to loyalist paramilitaries or to the forces of law and order. The DUP and the UUP must become involved. Unionists and loyalists would be greatly assisted in making that choice if the IRA immediately decommissioned its weapons. Building trust between communities and the political parties is the only way out of this cul de sac.