The Sinn Fein president has said the Northern negotiation process requires nationalists to understand the sense of hurt and pain endured by unionists.
However, Mr Gerry Adams sharply criticised the Ulster Unionist Party for introducing an "apartheid executive" by curbing the rights of Sinn Fein ministers, adding: "The failure of the British and Irish governments to challenge the First Minister, David Trimble, on this issue, in a robust and forthright way, is unacceptable."
In a speech to Sinn Fein's Dublin conference on Saturday, he said that in addressing Northern Protestants and unionists, his comments were aimed at reaching out and finding a route into their hearts and minds. The conference replaced the party's ardfheis, which was postponed over the foot-and-mouth threat.
All he asked, he said, was that unionists listened and accepted his words as his personal attempt at addressing difficult and hurtful issues. "Many republicans are of the view that there are large numbers of unionists who look at the conflict and place total responsibility for the conflict on the shoulders of the republican community" he said.
"Taking responsibility collectively for the problem is a necessary prerequisite for taking responsibility collectively for resolving it . . . I believe that we, as Irish republicans, are facing up to that difficult challenge. Or at least we are trying.
"While I understand that unionists find it difficult to acknowledge the hurt they imposed on the nationalist community, it is important that they do so. But taking responsibility contains another important element - it signals the beginning of the healing process."
Mr Adams said he had long held the view that the negotiations were the key to unlock the paralysis of hurt and pain.
"Today, more than ever, I am convinced that the way forward is through dialogue, reconciliation and accommodation. These are the values that continue to underpin my engagement with Northern Protestantism and unionism," he said.
Appealing for unity in republican ranks, Mr Adams said: "I appreciate the efforts of the IRA leadership to enhance the peace process. I appreciate also, and I acknowledge and commend, the discipline of IRA volunteers."
