What the papers say

Journalist Mike Philpott reviews Monday's morning newspapers.

There are many pictures of burnt-out cars and streets littered with rubble this morning... but for once the photographs weren't taken in Northern Ireland.

Yesterday's peaceful events in Drumcree are in stark contrast to the violence in Bradford.

The Sun reports that the place was like a war zone.

The Independent compares it to the violence in London 20 years ago. But the Times says this was worse.

The paper describes the rioting youths as being like petrol in search of a flame.

Trouble

But several papers carry the story of Tariq Mahmoud, an Asian man who opened his home to a group of terrified pensioners who had been caught up in the trouble.

The Daily Telegraph has a picture of him helping one woman across the street.

The paper says his heavily pregnant wife stayed up most of the night to make tea for their guests as the violence raged outside.

The Belfast papers agree that the events at Drumcree have helped the Orange Order's cause.

The News Letter talks of praise for the men of peace ... but it wonders why thousands of Orangemen can happily parade in Rossnowlagh in County Donegal but are banned from doing so in part of the UK.

The paper describes the massive security operation at Drumcree as "an exercise in overkill", but it accepts that the security forces had to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

Direction

Now, it feels that the Parades Commission should make greater efforts to find a solution.

The comments that if the next few days pass off without violence, it will encourage many people to believe that what it calls the annual nightmare may be moving into a new phase that could lead to permanent agreement.

The paper points to the example of the Bogside residents, the Apprentice Boys and the Royal Black Institution as the direction in which events could move.

It is also encouraged by the action of Catholic residents in Ballymena, who removed tricolours from lamp posts in the area.

Loyalists could also remove flags that offend and intimidate their neighbours, says the paper.

The Sun has what you might call an unusual angle on the Portadown story... a front page picture of a naked man running through the field beside the barricades.

Political talks

The paper spares his blushes with a carefully-placed picture of a bowler hat.

The Irish Times talks of relief in London and Dublin that Drumcree passed off peacefully.

The paper says it contributes to the chances of success in the political talks taking place this week.

The Mirror agrees, commenting that peace on the streets back home creates the right atmosphere for agreement.

The Irish Independent says IRA leaders could meet the British Government face to face in a make-or-break attempt to resolve the impasse over decommissioning.

As far as the talks are concerned, the paper feels the British Government must deliver demilitarisation and police reform, although not what it calls "Patten plus" as Sinn Fein are demanding.

In return, it says, Sinn Fein and the IRA must deliver decommissioning.

Putting weapons beyond use is a moral obligation and a political imperative, it says.

Finally, the Sun reports on another bad piece of publicity for seagulls, who had been dive-bombing people in England.

This time, one of the birds has stolen a pensioner's false teeth.

Basil Matthews, 78, had put his dentures out to dry on a windowsill of a hotel in North Wales, where he was spending his holidays.

The paper reports that Basil had to spend the rest of his five-day break eating nothing but soup and ice cream.