Too much focus is being placed on Sinn Fein and the DUP to move the peace process forward, the republican party's president, Mr Gerry Adams said tonight.
The Irish and British governments must shoulder their responsibility, he said, adding that the IRA arms issue - seen by unionists as the main impediment progress - could only be resolved when all commitments under the Belfast Agreement were met.
"I actually think there is too much focus at this time on the DUP and Sinn Fein. It isn't down to the DUP and Sinn Fein even though we have considerable roles to play.
"Our main job is to get everyone to encourage unionism to move forward and that is a responsibility which rests particularly with the British and Irish governments.
"While I would not like to minimise what may be genuine fears and concerns within unionism, I do think the issue of the IRA and its weapons is being used an excuse," Mr Adams told PA News.
He was speaking ahead of talks next month involving the British and Irish governments and the main Northern Ireland parties.
The meetings will culminate in a three-day summit at Leeds Castle in Maidstone, Kent, in mid-September. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have warned that the Belfast Agreement could be under threat if a deal is not struck.
Mr Adams said his party would be constructive in the talks but insisted that the "will" of the British government and unionists was essential to success.
"Will the British Government keep to its commitment on an inquiry into the murder of [Belfast solicitor] Pat Finucane, as his family has demanded? "Will we see something constructive on the hundreds of other victims of collusion?
"Will the DUP do the right thing about working the institutions, acknowledging other people's mandates and rights?
However the DUP is adamant that sharing power with Sinn Fein can only take place after the IRA declares a final end to its campaign.
During a panel discussion in the heart of Mr Adams's constituency last night, the DUP's Mr Jeffrey Donaldson urged republicans to get rid of their stockpiles of weapons.
The Lagan Valley MP told a West Belfast Festival debate audience that it was dangerous for Provisional IRA weapons to remain in dumps where they could be accessed by dissident republicans.
"Whether people like it or not, the unionist community does not trust the IRA because of what has been visited upon them by the IRA over 30 years.
"We need to see the weaponry being dealt with in a credible verifiable way, within a defined timescale.
"I would prefer it to be dealt with as soon as possible, preferably before the end of 2004. "I believe that if the IRA wanted to decommission all its weapons tomorrow it could do it."
Mr Adams commended Mr Donaldson on his appearance at the festival adding he would like to take part in a similar event in a loyalist area.
PA