This document records a meeting between David Trimble [leader of Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)], Ian Paisley [leader of the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party)], Robert McCartney [leader of the United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP)], and Martin Smyth [UUP leader and Grand Master of the Orange Order], Patrick Mayhew [Secretary of State for Northern Ireland] and UK Prime Minister John Major that took place on 9 July 1996. Trimble indicated that while the situation at Drumcree was manageable at the moment, there was a risk of things spiralling out of control, exacerbated by aggressive police actions and possible paramilitary involvement. He expressed dissatisfaction with the Chief Constable's decisions regarding the rerouting of marches, arguing that this could spark more violence and dissatisfaction within the Unionist community. Major stressed the importance of maintaining law and order, and defended the Chief Constable's decision. He presented three potential options for resolving the stand-off: dispersing the marchers, forcing the march through, or facilitating a local agreement through dialogue. Trimble added a fourth option, which was the possibility of the Government using the British Army to disperse the marchers. He sought reassurance that the Government was not going to go with this option, and Mayhew confirmed that no such proposal was being considered. Smyth outlined the views of the Loyalist community, who believed that Sinn Féin had been pulling the strings behind the scenes. He continued saying that there was a way out through discussions for a local accommodation, but those discussions could not be carried out with Brendan McKenna. Trimble added to this, saying that they had tried to speak to moderate figures from various groups, but no talks had yet been successful. Smyth speculated that a compromise between the members of the Orange Order and the local Nationalist community might be successful if, for instance, the terms of agreed between the two allowed only the District Lodge to march through the road, without any banners or music. In a comment by John Holmes [Private Secretary of Prime Minister Major], the meeting was described as going round in circles, although it ended with acceptance on the part of the Unionist leaders that local accommodation was essential.
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