Efforts to resolve the Drumcree crisis continued last night, involving Mr David Trimble, Mr John Hume and the heads of the British and Irish governments, while a leader of the local Orangemen warned of another stand-off with police.
In a potentially significant intervention, the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, offered to meet the Orange Order and said he believed it was his duty to do whatever possible to find a solution that would satisfy both sides.
The Taoiseach met the Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams, in Dublin last night. Mr Hume had met Mr Ahern on Monday evening and was also understood to have discussed the issue with Mr Adams. But there was some doubt over the influence any of the main nationalist leaders would have.
Nationalist opinion on the Portadown estate was said to have hardened in the wake of a comment by the County Grand Master of the Orange Order in Armagh, Mr Denis Watson, who said: "Portadown District are prepared to stand at Drumcree for 365 days, if necessary, for the principle and the right to return and walk along the Garvaghy Road back into Portadown."
The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr Trimble, held talks with the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan. Arriving for a meeting with the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, Mr Trimble said he would ask her to consider reviewing the Parades Commission's decision to prohibit Sunday's march from entering the Garvaghy Road. Afterwards he stressed the need to avoid confrontation and said there could be developments.
"We need to have that moving towards some sort of reasonable accommodation in the Portadown area with regard to the Drumcree march. I think there are a number of possibilities. One, of course - the one that I favour - is that we should have both a dignified procession and, if necessary, a dignified protest."
Sources involved with the efforts to resolve the situation suggested that a meeting between Mr Trimble and the nationalist residents, who are in his constituency, possibly with Mr Hume in attendance, could ease tensions and open the way to a compromise. Other political sources dismissed the possibility of such an initiative.
The controversial parade is the first big issue to confront the two Assembly leaders. Another Drumcree stand-off would reopen many old wounds. There were reports last night that loyalist protests outside the Catholic church in Harryville, Ballymena, are to resume this Saturday.
Drumcree also came up during a meeting between the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, and the Grand Chaplain of the Orange Order in Co Armagh, Mr William Bingham. There has been considerable US involvement behind the scenes in efforts to bring about a resolution, sources said.
The order was said to be planning an unprecedented step to publicise its case by advertising in the nationalist media.
There will be attempts to raise the Drumcree issue at the first meeting of the new Northern Assembly today in Stormont's Castle Buildings. The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, and a senior Armagh Orangeman and Assembly member, Mr Denis Watson, have been pressing to have the issue discussed.
Nevertheless, the election of Mr Trimble as first minister-designate and the SDLP candidate - expected to be Mr Hume - to the post of Deputy First Minister is considered likely to go ahead.