The Apprentice Boys and the Bogside Residents Group are to meet again in an effort to reach agreement on the annual Relief of Derry celebrations later this month. The two sides attended two hours of talks last night arranged by two local businessmen. The meeting was said to be positive with a frank exchange of views. Settlement proposals are expected to be put to both groups. The Apprentice Boys refuse to talk directly to the Bogside Residents but all were in the same room at last night's meeting.
Earlier yesterday new proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock in the Drumcree dispute were put forward by the British Government. The development followed separate meetings at Stormont between Tony Blair's chief of staff, Johnathan Powell, the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road residents coalition.
