Unionism under pressure
BY MICHEAL MacDONNCHA
Two main factors led to the decision by the Orange Order not to
march down Lower Ormeau Road. First and foremost was the
knowledge that the mass mobilisation of nationalists across the
Six Counties which had been seen in the wake of Drumcree 3 would
be reproduced in even greater numbers to prevent the Lower Ormeau
and Derry Orange parades as well as in smaller nationalist
centres.
The leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party, including former
leader and member of the British Privy Council Jim Molyneaux were
involved in meetings on Thursday 10 July which led to the
announcement. RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan went to the
Orange Order headquarters in Belfast that evening with Molyneaux.
It is not difficult to imagine what was said. Flanagan, backed by
Molyneaux, would have outlined to the Orangemen the huge
challenge being faced by the RUC with nationalists mobilising in
their tens of thousands in Belfast, Derry and other centres. The
previous week on the Garvaghy Road a small nationalist community
could be besieged and contained while the RUC and British army in
massive force made way for the Orange parade.
This could not have been done so easily in Belfast and Derry, and
the British army and RUC would have been stretched to breaking
point in nationalist districts across the North. Forcing the
parade down the Lower Ormeau and through Derry city centre would
have escalated the situation beyond the control of the British
government. The credibility of both the Labour government and the
unionists would have been very seriously damaged.
The other lesser factor involved in the decision was the
differences which exist within Orangeism and unionism. Many
unionists were alienated from the Orange Order by three years of
Drumcree stand-offs. Different tendencies exist within both the
UUP and the Orange Order. A hugely escalated crisis over the
insistence on marching through nationalist districts could have
widened these divisions.
The decision not to march was by no means the generous-spirited
gesture that was portrayed in the media. The Ballynafeigh Orange
Lodge reserved their `right' to parade on the Lower Ormeau. There
was no question of reaching an accommodation with the residents.
To emphasise the point that it was a decision forced on them by
their `elders' they refused to participate in the Belfast parade.
And in a bitterly sectarian statement the County Grand Lodge of
Belfast pointed to the motivation for the decision. It deplored
``the failure of Her Majesty's government to provide adequate
security against the threat of pan-nationalist violence,
orchestrated by Sinn Féin/IRA and fronted by convicted
terrorists''.
The Belfast statement urged unionist politicans to ``unite and
immediately withdraw from the `talks process' until, such times
as our government deals once and for all with Roman Catholic
republicanism''.
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