such an agreement. I believe that the objective of banning a whole class of weapons of mass destruction justifies the effort. The increased number of participants, attributable to the presence of new observers this year, will make for a wider representation of interests and for greater international acceptance of the convention. Simultaneously, the dialogue on accession should be conducted within a regional framework. We are in touch with member States of the Warsaw Treaty Organization and of NATO. Australia has set a good example with the initiative it has taken. The commitment of the general public - I am thinking of the recent seminar on chemical weapons of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the Middle East - also deserves our respect. It is beyond any doubt that the two German States or a united Germany will sign the convention as soon as it has been finalized. This is, among other things, our debt to history. It was German troops who were the first to employ chemical weapons at Ypres in 1915. I would like to assure you that the German Democratic Republic will continue to play an active part in the negotiations as long as it exists and will take its commitment into a united Germany. We will give others the benefit of our experience from trial inspections and from the development of verification technology, and we are prepared to take further confidence­ building measures. Let me tell you that my delegation chairing a working group will do its utmost to promote the solution of such important aspects of the convention as sanctions and the resolution of disputes. Together with the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic will make arrangements for the implementation of the projected convention in a united Germany. In the shape of the Biological Weapons Convention, an agreement to ban an 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic speech addressing the topic of banning weapons of mass destruction, specifically chemical weapons. The speaker mentions the objective of banning such weapons, the progress of negotiations, and the commitment of countries to sign the convention. The text also touches on the role of the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany in the negotiations. The focus is on international cooperation, diplomacy, and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

**Category**
International trade, Health