71.   British and Irish government officials were due to meet Thursday to iron out policing strategies in Northern Ireland, as the spectre of fresh Protestant marches drew near.

72.   Catholics say the Protestant marches, complete with pipe and flute bands, are a provocation and a form of intimidation.

73.   Dublin has accused London of fanning the flames of violence with its handling of Protestant marches across the province last week.

74.   The trouble flared several hours after a Protestant march through a Catholic area had passed off without incident.

75.   The Protestants were angered by the refusal of the Catholic nationalist community in a neighbouring village to let a Protestant march pass through.

76.   The White House came out in favor Friday of creating a parade commission that would oversee the traditional Catholic and Protestant marches in Ulster.

77.   There were also clashes in the northern town of Londonderry, where police turned out in force for a traditional Protestant march which skirts the Catholic Bogside district.

78.   Last July the Protestant marches set off several nights of clashes between police and demonstrators, or between Catholic and Protestant groups, causing several injuries.

79.   Northern Ireland police said Tuesday they had decided to reroute a planned traditional Protestant march through Belfast next Sunday to avoid friction with local Catholic residents.

80.   Northern Ireland Secretary Patrick Mayhew on Thursday warned he could give no guarantees against a repeat of violence sparked by a disputed Protestant march last week.