both sides made public statements to the effect that they understood that research would be allowed. The Soviet statement was made by then defence minister A.A. Grechko, speaking at the session of the Supreme Soviet Presidium ratifying the ABM Treaty, and printed in Pravda on JO September, 197JJ "The treaty on limiting ABM systems provides for a quantitatively small development of ABM facilities by the USSR and the United States, and prohibits tne handover of these facilities to other States or the deployment of them outside the countries' national territories. At the same time it imposes no limitations on the performance of research and experimental work aimed at resolving the problem of defending the country against nuclear missile attack." Third, in stating that the strategic defence initiative is only a research programme, I wish to emphasize that there has been no decision made to carry research into the development, testing or deployment of ABM systems or components. Indeed, our expectations are that a decision as to the desirability and practicality of doing so is unlikely to be made for many years. Moreover, CD/PV.J21 9 (Mr. Lowitz, United. States ) President Reagan has stated that the United States will proceed beyond research only if three conditions are met. First, any defensive system must be survivable — that is, it must not be vulnerable to being attacked itself. Second, such a system must be cost-effective — it must be cheaper to build at the margin than are the offensive systems it is designed to offset. Third, the system would only be built if it contributes to stability. One might wonder why the representatives of the Soviet Union and its allies are attempting to focus the outer space debate in this Conference solely on the United States Strategic Defence Initiative. Perhaps they are seeking to divert 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a specific military initiative, the Strategic Defence Initiative, and its implications on international relations. The language used is technical and focused on the capabilities and limitations of the initiative. The text also mentions the ABM Treaty and the statements made by government officials, indicating a focus on international diplomacy and security.

**Category**
Science and Technology, International Relations