AMBITIOUS proposals aimed at finding a resolution to the issue of controversial parades can work if given community "buy-in" and a "fair wind," according to the leading Orangeman and senior Republican regarded as the main architects of the recommendations.This week the Strategic Review of Parading Body (SRPB) unveiled a series of recommendations aimed at bringing an end to years of community violence surrounding the marching season. The involvement of senior Orangeman Mervyn Gibson and leading Republican Sean Murray is seen as being crucial to the group's success.Under the new proposals, the responsibility for marching would transfer from the Parades Commission to a new secretariat under the control of the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).However, the new report says the proposals are contingent on the transfer of policing and justice powers and the introduction of a Bill of Rights, including specific protections surrounding the parades issue.The parade proposals drew criticism from Nationalist residents groups' spokesmen Breandan MacCionnaith and Gerard Rice.However, review group chairman Paddy Ashdown insisted that the recommendations could provide a "home-grown" solution to the parades issue."This is a process, not an event, and we see ourselves establishing a framework in which over time we can move towards normality," he said. "It does reflect the unanimous consensus- view across all of the communities represented on this body. That is the most important fact about it."The former Liberal Democrat leader insisted that the report was only an interim document with a final draft being delivered to Secretary of State Shaun Woodward in the autumn. However, he insisted that the Parades Commission would remain in place until an agreed parades' solution is found."The key to this is buy-in, that is what we have achieved so far. We don't actually propose anything about the Parades Commission, apart from firmly stating that the commission remains in charge until such time as this report is put in operation," Ashdown said."The decision about when that will be put into operation is a political decision to be made, obviously by the secretary of state, but chiefly, frankly, by the political will and commitment of people in Northern Ireland and the domestic political structures. "Until that time, let me underline heavily, that for this year the Parades Commission remains looking after parades and, frankly, for as long as the recommendations here are not put into operation, that will remain the case."While insisting that with "political goodwill on all sides" the proposed changes could come into operation by next spring, he said, "Whether or not that happens is not a matter for me to make judgments on it."It is a matter for political will in Northern Ireland."Senior Orangeman Mervyn Gibson said that group's recommendations offered the best opportunity in 30 years to find a solution to the issue of controversial parades. "It may sound a bit idealistic, but with a fair wind I don't think they're unobtainable," he said. "We believe the parading issues should no longer be an alternative battlefield for 30 years of violence, an arena to plough ancient hatreds by all sides. This means a formal end to the cultural wars by all."Warning against the parades issue being used as a "political football," he said, "We believe there are three words that underpin and reflect the ethos of our recommendations - respect, toleration and understanding. "The Nationalist community wants to be treated with respect, the Unionist community seek toleration and we all require understanding. "None of these things diminish ones point of view, but in a normal society where we all seek to get to, these things are common-sense and common courtesy."Expressing the belief that the current political climate now provided an opportunity for a historic parades' deal, he added, "There is obviously nothing guaranteed. I believe there is a fair wind about to see this matter sorted out."People want to move on, people want to compromise to get agreement. I think we have a political dispensation that will allow this to move on if they so desire. I believe the climate out there is right at this time." Urging people to study the document in detail before making up their minds, Murray said, "Unfortunately there has been a lot of speculation about the contents of this report due to various leaks, some of which was highly misinformed. "We want people to sit down and read this report in the cold light of day without the speculation and to assess it. It is an interim report and it needs to be put in perspective. "There will be a further period of consultation for another six months. People can come in and deal with their concerns."Addressing the fact that the review group had been unable to find agreement over controversial parades on the Ormeau and Garvaghy roads, the senior Republican said, "If you want to resolve the issues surrounding parading on the streets you have to resolve Drumcree and the Ormeau roads. "There are other areas where there are other contentious parades areas as well. That is the challenge for this body and this consultation process."Can we come up with some new thinking in relation to resolving these disputes? You have to resolve those disputes, if you want an end to contentious parades in the six counties."Insisting that further discussions would take place in a bid to find agreement over Drumcree and the lower Ormeau, Ashdown said, "I am not predicting what the outcome of our discussion will be. It could be one of two. "It could say, here's the framework that can cope with Drumcree and the Ormeau Road. It could also say we need to strengthen this in some way and come up with an alternative proposal. "Those are issues we want to consult further on. There are views on this body obviously on it, but watch this space."