The Ulster Unionist leader Mr Trimble has said a review of the Parades Commission ban on the Drumcree Orange parade by the Northern Ireland Secretary could "unlock" other possibilities.
He said this was not simply a matter of Dr Mowlam "crudely overturning" the commission's ban on the parade returning along the Catholic Garvaghy Road. Such a review "might unlock the situation so as to allow other possibilities to develop." He declined to elaborate what those possibilities might be.
Mr Trimble was speaking after a two-hour meeting with the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, yesterday. He later had a meeting with Dr Mowlam.
He said the Parades Commission's decision was "a mistake and that mistake presents a very serious threat to peace and stability in Northern Ireland".
He went on: "I think to defuse the situation we'd like to see the matter sorted out before Sunday and one avenue which does exist under the legislation is for the matter to be referred to the Secretary of State."
Asked whether he would meet the Garvaghy Road residents, the Unionist leader said he was waiting for an answer to his open letter in which he asked them "were they prepared to do their bit for peace? "We all want to see peace, we all want to see the possibility of peaceful development nurtured. We know how throughout Northern Ireland there is a desire to see peace taking root, and I put to them the question - are they prepared to do their bit to help that?"
The Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition yesterday made public their response to Mr Trimble's letter. Once again inviting him to meet them, they went on: "We, like all those others who voted for peace, wish to see that peace delivered. However, like ourselves, you also have a responsibility in ensuring a peaceful and non-confrontational marching season."
They continued: "As Archbishop Brady correctly pointed out, this community has never objected to the right of the Orange Order to parade to Drumcree or to attend a church service there. Indeed this community would not seek to to interfere or deny those rights to members of the Orange Order. Any conflict of rights which has arisen is in relation to the return route."
In a statement yesterday, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland condemned the Parades Commission decision. "As an institution we will render whatever support necessary to local Brethren to ensure all our Boyne anniversary parades proceed along their traditional routes. "We will be adhering to our policy of not engaging with residents' groups influenced by terrorist organisations nor with the Parades Commission, a discredited government quango clearly susceptible to political interference. The policy of not engaging with republican terrorists is mirrored by that adopted by the unionist political parties."
The Orange Order said it had cancelled four of its "Twelfth" parades last year "in the interests of peace and stability.
Mr Denis Watson, Co Armagh District Master of the Order, said: "It is the intention of the Portadown district to go to their place of worship on Sunday and to return along the traditional route should that be next Sunday, should it be Sunday week.
"Portadown district is prepared to stand at Drumcree for 365 days if necessary for the principle and their right to return and walk along the Garvaghy Road back into Portadown". Mr Watson was elected to the assembly at the weekend.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mowlam, appealed "both to parade organisers and those who object to parades to show a single-minded determination to reach local arrangements. With courage and initiative, I believe there can still be an honourable and successful resolution of these issues.
"The agreement reached in the political talks points to how the problems surrounding parades might be resolved. The key to that success was compromise. No one had to give up long-held and cherished beliefs. But all were prepared to move from their ideal position to a point where agreement was possible."
The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley said the Parades Commission ban had made Orangemen attending a Protestant church and remaining in its grounds illegal.