can and must produce a political atnosphere which would be conducive to the attainment, of thes. go.I". Proceeding from what is now an almost universally shared view that there can be neither victors nor vanguished in a nuclear war since it woutd mean the self-destruction of mankindr it is essential that all sLates' especially the nuclear-weapon States, consider the prevention of nuclear war their cardinal policy. It tdould be of special significance if the conduct of relations anrcng the nuclear-weapon States were regulaled by relevant norms' The proposals submitted by the sovilt union on Ehis score are fully supported by the German DemocraEic RePublic. 13. The German Democratic Republic believes Ehat declarations to renounce any striving for military superiority is of parEicular importance for the prevenlion ofmeasures for the prevention of accidental or rireapons and the avoidance of the possibility ofA/40/ 498 English Page 46 nuclear war. In this context, it reiterates its serious concern about plans forthe militarization of outer space and about the continued deployment of UnibedStates first-strike weapons in l{estern Europe, which are contradictory to recentlydeclared intentions and constitute serious obstacles to purposeful netoeiations.At the same time, the Gernan Democratic Republic recalls the need for renouncingthe elaboraE,ion and propagation of nuclear warfare doctrines, including t.hose whichjustify the first-use of nuclear weapons. Attempts to play down the real danger ofnuclear war and to have a first-use "option" approved by the United Nations byinvoking the need for avoiding any war, were rightly rejected by the overwhelmingmajority of Member States at the lhirty-ninth session of the General Assembly.
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a diplomatic document discussing the prevention of nuclear war and the importance of cooperation among nations. It highlights the need for a political atmosphere conducive to achieving this goal, and specifically mentions the need for the nuclear-weapon states to renounce any striving for military superiority and to avoid the militarization of outer space. The text also touches on the topic of nuclear warfare doctrines and the first-use of nuclear weapons. Given the focus on international relations, diplomacy, and disarmament, it seems likely that the text falls under the category of international relations.

**Category**
International relations