The possession of nuclear lreapons by the racist r6gime of pretoria wouldconstitute a most direct threat to the security of the African states: it wourdlead to a sharp escalation of instability and tension in southern Africa andwould increase the nucfear threat to all nanhirr_].. '|he a.ction tah--n bv itrea.uthorities of the nepublic of south Africa to acquire nucrear rreapons_ r^rith thesupport of c-ortain states, is at variance with the efforts nade by nany countriesand the united ltrations to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons thToughoutthe r,rorfd- This action is incornpatible with the d.enands of African countries,a.s embodied in Ljnited ;\r.tions decisions for the conversion of the Africancont,inent j.nto a nuclear-free zone. By choosing to produce its or,rn nuclearrneapons, the Republic of South Africa has issued a challenge to a1I peoples " TASS is authorized to nake the folroving statenent, The nanufacture ofnuc]ear weapons in the nepublic of scuth Africa woul-d have the most serious andfar-.reaching implications for international peace and the security of peoples. The leadership of the soviet union feer-s that the most urgent and effectiv,oefforts on the part of all states the unitecr r\rations anrl international putrlicopinion, are needed in o.der tc frev€nt the prod.uction of nu.lcrt verLpons in theRepublic or $outtr Africa :r11 to --vert tne d.anger of the proliferation of suchl/ea.pons ' The soviet unr'.on, which hes consistently and resolutely advocated stepsto avert the threat of a nucrear war, is willing, for its part, in co-operationwith other staLes b., aI possible rneans to prorrote the achievement of this g-oa1"At 3) | qut Annex ,tsdge 42 A.a.APPENDTX II Statement made by the Minister for foreign Affairs of Fran:e, -_- -_ - ------,,--*, --. _-_--_.- -*___, --*__3__Ln--eI ,22 Aueust I97"( . I^le learned a fe\r r.omenLs aso that the French Govet-nnenh and you yourself had approached the South African authorities because of uore precise indications accofding to the text given us - that South Africa intend.ed, to manufacture atomic bombs. This intention is mentioned in a statement by the Tass News Agency on 9 Autust 1977. Can you give us sone inforunation regarding bhjs matter?
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a statement by the Soviet Union and France regarding the potential acquisition of nuclear weapons by South Africa, and its implications for international security and the African continent. The tone is critical and alarmist, emphasizing the threat that this would pose to the region and the world. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the statement is an official communication from the government or a high-ranking official.

**Category**
International relations, Security