159. The conclugj.on of a conprehensive test ban eould be a clear signal tonon-nuclear-ueapon States ttlat the nuclear-seapon States had Eaken seriously Eheundercaking nade in the 1968 Treaty on the Non-proli fera Eion of Nucrear weapons Eonove tordards nuclear disarnanent. If Ehe nuclear-ueapon SEates dernongtrate Aserious interesE in halting lhe vert.i.cal proliferation of nuclear weapons, thls example might encourage restralnt on the part. of non-nuclear-weapon StaEes andtheir agreement to tightened safeguards. In the absence of progress innegotiations leaaling torrards arns reduction or Eowards a conprehenslve teat banEreaEy, there is a risk that pressures eirl nount against the non-prori f erat ionr69ine established in the Treaty of 1968. Arpng the States parties there is awidespread view that a conprehensive test ban has rdorld-rride significance as anindicator of tbe aeriousnegs of the nuclear-weapon States parties to EheNon-Proli f e rat.ion Treaty in pur6uiE of tbeir obligations under the Treaty. 160. At the present time, tbe relatlonship in strategic arns betrdeen Ehe Sovietunion and lhe united states is governed by treaties siEhin the franework of the SAIJT process, in Part.icular by lhe 1972 Trealy bet$e€n Che United States of Anericaand the union of soviet sociarist Republicg on the Linitation of Anti-Ballisticl'lissile systens (ABM Treaty) (SALT r) and the l9?9 Treaty betgeen the united staEegof Anerica and the union of soviet socialist Republics on the Linitation ofStrategic Offensive Arns (SALT II). which has not yet been ratified. Both sideshave declared lheir comlitnent to abiiling by the provisions of lhese treaEies. By SALT I and SALT II ceillngs were placed oh the aggregate nunb€r of land-based and aea-based ballistic rDissile launchers and bonbe rs on the tt,o sides, as nell assub-ceilinga on certain tlrpes, ard certain conbinations of types, of such rreapons.They also praced rest!ictions on certain characteristica of th€ teo parciesr long-range missiles and boDbers. as well as sone restriccions on the nodernizationof exiscing eeapon systens and the neans Ehat. othernise could be used to concealtheir exisEence.A/ 40/553 English Page 44 161. Negotiations during the SALT process, shich began in 1959, have been arduous
**Analysis**
The text discusses the prospects of a comprehensive test ban and its implications on nuclear disarmament, as well as the strategic arms limitations treaties between the Soviet Union and the United States. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a focus on international relations and security. The text does not mention economic or social issues, and instead concentrates on the political and strategic aspects of nuclear weapons.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology