On the prevention of an arms race in outer space, it is my understanding that the procedural impediment which had slowed down the work of the Committee has been resolved. That is news which is welcome - better late than never. I hope that the Committee will be able to make progress on substantive matters during the summer session. On negative security assurances, in view of some important events on the nuclear disarmament agenda for this year - the NPT review conference and the amendment conference of the PTBT - it is my hope that progress will be achieved on this issue, particularly in view of the very large consensus on the matter in the General Assembly. On radiological weapons, efforts have been made to narrow down the differences between various delegations on the question of scope, and while success may not quite be around the corner, it is gratifying to note that the debate continues. A significant point during the spring session was the briefing by the United States and the Soviet Union on the START and space talks. This is something to be welcomed. It keeps the members of this single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum up to date on developments. We hope that such briefings will continue on a regular basis in the future. We also look forward to the successful conclusion of the negotiations at an early date. During the spring session also, the Conference adopted the progress report on the twenty-ninth session of the Ad hoc Group of Scientific Experts to Consider International Co-operative Measures to Detect and Identify Seismic Events. The Group's usefulness has been acknowledged by delegations, and one expects that it will be able to successfully conclude its Second Technical Test as planned. Finally, and in my opinion most significantly, on the subject of the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international efforts and progress in the field of disarmament and arms control, specifically in outer space and nuclear disarmament. It mentions various international organizations, conferences, and agreements, such as the Committee, NPT, PTBT, and START. The text also touches on the topic of scientific cooperation and the detection of seismic events. Given the focus on international relations, disarmament, and scientific cooperation, it seems likely that the text belongs to the category of international affairs.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations