I now give the floor to the representative of the United States of America, Ambassador Ledogar. Mr. LEDOGAR (United States of America): Before making my remarks, I would like first to welcome to the Conference our new colleague. Ambassador Kralik of the Federal Republic of Czechoslovakia. Ambassador, my delegation and I look forward to working with you and your staff. I would also like to take this occasion formally to bid farewell to three of our colleagues who are departing for new and important assignments - Ambassador de Azambuja of Brazil, Ambassador Sharma of India and Ambassador von Stülpnagel of the Federal Republic of Germany. Let me express appreciation for your important contributions to the Conference and wish you well as you take on your new duties. And lastly, Mr. President, I would like to express my personal appreciation for the wise and effective way in which you have guided the Conference during your tenure this month. We have all been beneficiaries. Because today's plenary meeting marks the end of the spring part of our 1990 session, I have taken the floor in order to provide information to the Conference on the fifteenth round of the United States-Soviet consultations on the prohibition of chemical weapons, which is currently under way and will end the day after tomorrow. My statement is made by agreement with the head of the Soviet delegation, Minister Serguei Batsanov, and supplements his statement to the Conference made on 8 March. Since the end of the fourteenth round on 8 March, United States-Soviet discussions of a chemical weapons ban have continued in an intensive manner. During their meeting in Washington from 4 to 6 April, United States Secretary of State James Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze reviewed progress in the discussions and provided further guidance for our two delegations. CD/PV.554 11
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement, discussing international relations, negotiations, and agreements between countries. The focus is on the prohibition of chemical weapons, which suggests that the category should be related to international security or disarmament.

**Category**
International trade, Science and technology