THE NEW NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
KEEP CALM - KEEP THE PEACE
Northern Ireland Assembly First Minister David Trimble MP and Deputy First Minister Séamus Mallon MP, have called on all sides at Drumcree to avert a confrontation.
The two men have issued a joint appeal for calm and are urging people to stay within the law.
In a joint statement, Mr. Trimble and Mr. Mallon declared: "Numerous options have been explored, and we are continuing to search for a resolution of this emotive and highly dangerous problem. Over the last forty-eight hours all the forces that helped to facilitate the Agreeement - including President Clinton, the Prime Minister, the Taoiseach, the Secretary of State, Church leaders and others, have lent their support; we have been in constant contact with them and the with representatives of those involved in this dispute.
The impasse over Drumcree must not be allowed to cast its shadow over the optimism and the will of the vast majority of our people to create peace and stability. An accommodation that respects the rights and traditions of all sections of the community can be achieved only if there is tolerance, restraint and generosity on all sides.
We do not want to see violence on our streets.
We do not want the two sides of our community to embark on a collision course where all will be losers.
We do not want a mindless confrontation that only serves to damage the local community, to damage the entire community in Northern Ireland and to tarnish our reputation abroad.
The right to protest must be exercised within the law. We appeal to people to keep the peace and not to become embroiled in confrontation that will achieve nothing and only cause deeper community divisions and pain.