deployment of nuclear SLCMs. In the context of such a large-scale approach to strategic arms reductions, strategic stability becomes considerably more sensitive to non-strategic nuclear arms, both land-based and sea-launched. The elimination of imbalances and asymmetries in conventional armed forces in Europe under the treaty being negotiated in Vienna would open up a realistic prospect for fairly radical reductions in land-based tactical nuclear weapons to the level of "minimal deterrence". What that level will be remains to be determined in the course of negotiations. It is clear, though, that when reduced to that level the capabilities of the sides should be limited to the deterrent function and should not create the perception on the part of the other side that they may be used in a first strike, including their use for the purpose of initiating hostilities involving conventional forces. I would like to remind the distinguished participants in the Conference that in that direction as well we have already begun to move unilaterally. In 1989 500 nuclear warheads were withdrawn from the territories of our allies - 166 aviation warheads, 50 artillery warheads and 284 missile warheads. In the past two years we have not modernized our tactical nuclear missiles by means of replacement or by other means. In order to create a favourable climate for negotiations on tactical nuclear weapons which the Soviet Union proposes to begin as early as this autumn, we have decided to reduce our tactical nuclear weapons in Europe further. Specifically: by the end of this year in Central Europe, the USSR will cut 60 launchers of tactical missiles, i.e. missiles with a shorter range than those being eliminated under the INF Treaty. In the Soviet Union these missiles include the "R-17" or "Scud-B" (300 kilometres), the "Tochka" or 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing strategic arms reductions and disarmament, specifically the reduction of nuclear weapons and the elimination of imbalances in conventional armed forces in Europe. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it is a speech or statement made by a government official or representative. The text mentions specific details about the reduction of nuclear warheads and missiles, which implies that it is related to national security and defense.

**Category**
International relations, Defense