of the issue. will be acceptable and helpful both to Nicarngun and to the United States. 40. We are all aware that relations between Nic- alaguu and the United States have been growing more tense for some time now. But, to judge from what has been said here and elsewhere in public statements. one may hope that this does not derive from any fun- damental hostility between the two countries. Nor is it inevitable that tension between them should con- tinue to rise. Quite the contrary: In the period imme- diately after the overthrow of Somoza the relations between the two countries had begun to develop well, and the United States gave significant support at that stage to Nicaragua’s effort to restore its shattered economy. The question now is: How can the recent deterioration of relations be halted, and the more constructive relationship of two years ago be re- stored? The obvious answer has to be by negotiations -whether direct or through the help of a wilt@, mediator. and the primary aim of this Council, or indeed of any other international effort to resolve the 4 crisis. should be to encourage the parties in every way possible to get such negotiations under way. Jl. There is already some basis for such an effort. We are well aware that the two opening statements in the present debate on Thursday last expressed fundamentally different perceptions as to the cause of the present quarrel. But it was also striking that they htid one mqjor point in common-the strong emphasis by each side on its will to solve the problems at issue through negotiation. This willingness indeed seemed to extend not only to direct negotiations and to the immediate points at issue but to other countries of the region and to the general situation in the area as a 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on the diplomatic relations and political tensions between Nicaragua and the United States, with a specific emphasis on finding a solution through negotiations. The context suggests that the issues at hand may be related to economic development, international relations, and potentially regional stability. The text does not explicitly mention any specific economic, environmental, or social issues that would fit neatly into one category.

**Category**
International relations