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Orangemen retain right to march
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Ulster Orangemen Step Back from Brink
Leaders of the Protestant Orange Order in Northern Ireland have decided to call off or re-route controversial parades this weekend. There were fears that the marches would have led to a repeat of the widespread trouble which followed last Sunday's Drumcree Orange parade.
In what was clearly a carefully co-ordinated series of announcements, Orangemen in Belfast were first to declare they would not march up the nationalist Ormeau Road on July 12th, the most important day in the Orange calendar.
They said the decision had been taken "in view of the current unsettled state of the province and the great possibility of prolonged unrest endangering lives and property."
The statement went on to say that in taking the "very serious decision" they had "not compromised our right to parade the entire length of the Ormeau Road." Their decision had been made "to stop the enemies of Ulster" causing loss of life and major civil disturbance.
Similar announcements followed from Londonderry, Armagh and Newry.
Jeffrey Donaldson, a Unionist MP and Assistant Grand Master of the Orange Order, commended what he said was the "very, very courageous decisions" taken by the Orangemen.
"I hope the people of Northern Ireland will have seen the Orange Order is acting in the best interests of Northern Ireland," said Mr Donaldson. He insisted the move was not a response to threats from republican paramilitaries.
Praise for Orange Marchers
The Orange Order's decision
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