With the new Northern Ireland Assembly less than a month old, it is facing a rising tide of sectarian violence. Protestant extremists are angry over a decision to ban a march through Catholic areas. Following a background report on the recent violence, two experts discuss the situation.

KWAME HOLMAN: Early today, a delegation of Protestant Orangemen arrived at London's Number 10 Downing Street to meet with Britain's prime minister--drawing Tony Blair directly into the latest crisis in Northern Ireland. The meeting was aimed at ending the four-day stand-off that has prevented Protestant Orangemen from completing their annual parade through a Catholic neighborhood in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

REPRESENTATIVE OF ORANGE ORDER: We had full and frank discussion with the prime minister, and we will be reporting back on the contents of that with the bretheren in the Portadown district in due course. Thank you very much.

KWAME HOLMAN: But the prime minister reportedly will not try to overrule the local commission that banned the Protestants from their annual parade down the Gavaghy Road in the predominantly Catholic town of Portadown. As the stand-off entered its fourth day, Protestant leaders warned it easily could escalate into a general shutdown of Northern Ireland if the marchers aren't allowed to proceed. Robert Sawlters is grand master of the Orange Order.

ROBERT SAULTERS, Orange Order: This protest is not party political. This protest is about stopping the cultural apartheid in Northern Ireland. It is about ensuring civil rights for all and special privileges for none. It is about securing a just, equitable, and tolerant society.

KWAME HOLMAN: There has been violence in the province each of the last four nights. Protestants have clashed with police and British Soldiers who began enforcing the parades committee decision to halt the marchers last Sunday. Fifty officers have been injured and one hundred twenty-five people arrested. Meanwhile, camped out in a field near the barricades are hundreds of Orangemen.

The Orange name goes back to King William of Orange's victory over Catholic King James II 400 years ago. Having formed a fraternal organization about 200 years ago, the Orangemen have been marching through Portadown every July since. The July parades have been a flashpoint for violence in the last 30 years of Irish troubles.

This latest outbreak comes just two weeks after the province entered a new era of self-government and, it was hoped, peace. The new government was a result of the Good Friday peace accords overseen by former US Senator George Mitchell. The historic agreement was aimed at bridging the gap between Protestants--called Unionists--who favor continued union with Great Britain and Catholic Nationalists who favored joining the Republic of Ireland.

Unionist David Trimble, elected to head the assembly and barely sworn into office when the violence hit, has been appealing for calm.

DAVID TRIMBLE: We are all very conscious of the fact that time is running out and that the weekend carries with it very grave risks for society in Northern Ireland. We do know that there are elements within the society here who will take advantage of the quite understandable protests that the Orange Order have organized in order to create mayhem either because they have a political motive, or because they intend to enrich themselves as a result of it, or just simply out of politicism at large.

KWAME HOLMAN: However, the Orangemen say they plan to go ahead with another parade set for Monday, on Belfast's predominantly Catholic Ormeau Road. That march already has been approved by the parades commission.