The Sinn Féin president was abundantly clear. This was a difficult move coming at a difficult time, Mr Adams told a press conference at Sinn Féin's west Belfast headquarters.
Republicans and nationalists "who have never been near guns and who never want to see guns used again" have problems with the putting of weapons beyond use unilaterally, and there was no involvement in any quid pro quo. It had nothing to do with the imminent general election.
It seemed to some a curious claim given that a Dáil candidate sat at Mr Adams's side throughout. But it got some support in the unlikely person of the Northern Secretary.
Dr John Reid said there would always be those who would find linked political causes. Had the weapons move taken place last month, it would have been seen as an attempt to help Mr David Trimble at the Ulster Unionist Council, he said.
At the end of the day, Mr Adams emphasised, the putting of weapons beyond use to the satisfaction of Gen John de Chastelain highlighted how much others have to do to fulfil their end of the Good Friday deal.
He listed the areas - from British army demilitarisation to justice reforms - and said it was time for Mr Tony Blair's government to tackle the nay-sayers, "securocrats" begrudgers and opponents of the peace process. "If this peace process is to succeed, others - but especially the British government - have to accept responsibility for these difficulties and move to curb the dangerous and damaging actions of those over who them have influence and control."
His statement was neatly in step with that signed by "P. O'Neill" and he repeated his view that the Middle East provided a clear example if what happens when a peace process breaks down.
He said had spoken to "senior people" at both the Taoiseach's office and Downing Street and that he expected to speak to President George Bush's special envoy, Mr Richard Haass.
No opportunity was lost to present decommissioning as taking place against a backdrop of the "state police" investigating the theft of intelligence documents who were breaking down doors, smashing windows and burgling people's premises "after this nonsense around Castlereagh".