safeguards support programme. While the brochure has been written for the general public, and thus represents part of an ongoing effort by our verification research programme to heighten understanding by Canadians and others of issues relating to arms control verification, we believe that it could also be of interest to the more professional audience comprised by the members of delegations to the Conference on Disarmament. CD/PV.554 18 (Mr, Shannon, Canada ) As I indicated at the beginning of this statement, I will not be dealing today with some other items on our agenda, such as items 6 and 7, negative security assurances and radiological weapons, although I must admit that, when Ambassador Ceska of Austria referred to these two items in his own recent statement, I took satisfaction that his down-to-earth and pragmatic approach to them closely approximated our own views. Nor will I say anything at this time about the first item on our agenda, "Nuclear test ban", except to express the strong hope, which so many among us clearly share, that Ambassador Donowaki's continuing patient exploration of the mandate issue will soon be answered by success. There is one additional subject, however, on which I do want to put our views on record, and this seems to be the right time and place to do so. That subject is improved and effective functioning of the Conference, on which you, Mr. President, have already convened an open-ended consultation. In our delegation we also were struck by Ambassador Azambuja's wise suggestion that we give careful thought to how best the Conference on Disarmament might adopt and retain relevancy in face of the new international situation that has emerged during the past momentous 18 months or so. While all of us can concur in the correctness of Ambassador Azambuja's remarks, what I want to suggest 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement or speech related to international disarmament and arms control. It mentions specific topics, such as the Conference on Disarmament, arms control verification, and the functioning of the conference. The language used is formal and technical, suggesting that the text is intended for a professional audience. The focus on international relations, diplomacy, and arms control suggests that the category should be related to global governance or international relations.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology