Peace plea: Adams

There is now no doubt the IRA had already made its decision to decommission its weapons arsenal when Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams made his direct appeal to the IRA's commanders.

In an emotional press conference speech in West Belfast on Monday, Adams urged the IRA to "strategically think this issue through".

Adams said he and the party's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, had appealed to the IRA to decommission to save the peace process. He described the situation as "a defining moment" and called on all sides involved to "work to ensure we put crisis politics behind us".

"Martin McGuinness and I have also held discussions with the IRA and we have put to the IRA the view that if it could make a ground-breaking move on the arms issue that this could save the peace process from collapse and transform the situation," he said.

In a significant gesture to old-guard supporters, he was joined at the press conference by veteran IRA man Joe Cahill.

Echoing the words of Northern Ireland secretary Dr John Reid, Adams said "a positive IRA move must be met with generosity and vision".

He described the current crisis as "a threat to the peace process which risks undoing the work of the last decade". He claimed the issue of IRA weapons was being used a diversionary tactic by loyalists.

"The issue of IRA weapons has been used as an excuse to undermine the power-sharing assembly as well as the Good Friday Agreement." He said it was "in marked contrast to the issue of loyalist weapons".

He said republicans had made significant gains and needed to "stay connected". He added that issues including the Northern Ireland police service still needed to be resolved but called on republicans to continue to support him.

"I appeal to all republicans to stay united. This is a time for commitment to the republican cause, for clear heads and brave hearts," he said.

He said that a move to decommission by the IRA could not be seen as a capitulation under pressure.

"In my view the IRA is genuinely committed to building a peace process in which the objectives of Irish republicanism can be argued and advanced. The Army has repeatedly demonstrated leadership and patience and vision and I respect absolutely its right to make its own decision on this issue," he said. "Everyone knows the IRA is not an organisation that bows to pressure or moves on loyalist or British government terms."

Adams called on loyalists and Westminster to match Sinn Fein's commitment. He accused David Trimble's supporters of dragging their feet, saying "unionism needs to come to terms with the new realities".

"Our collective responsibility at this time is to settle our differences. I appeal to the leaders of unionism to join with us in doing that so that all sections of our people can go forward on the basis of equality," he said.

Though Tony Blair had dedicated a great deal of time to the issues of Northern Ireland politics, he accused the prime minister of being too cautious in his negotiations between the various parties.

"The British government has been too tactical in its approach and pandered to conservative elements in the system and northern politics," he said. "The British government needs to show by its deeds not just its words that they too want to take the guns out of Irish politics."