have stalled our work in this very important field, where qualitative research on weapons systems has been undertaken with intensity. Over the past few years, we have debated this issue endlessly. Instead of getting into such a debate again, the Conference on Disarmament should work on specific proposals to prevent outer space from becoming the new frontier of the all too familiar terrestrial arms race. More than a dozen concrete proposals have been put forward by delegations. Priority should be accorded to halting the development of anti-satellite weapons, dismantling existing systems, prohibiting the introduction of new weapon systems in outer space and ensuring that the existing 1972 ABM Treaty is fully honoured and extended as required by new technological advances. The issues of verification are complex enough today. If anti-satellite weapons and other space weapons are deployed, this problem would threaten to become intractable. The stagnation in the process of negotiations on the agenda items mentioned above is not due to inherent faults in the Conference on Disarmament, which is an institution of our times and subject to the policies of the Governments that make up the CD. If the CD has not lived up to the hopes that accompanied its birth, it is largely a reflection of our individual and collective failings. On the positive side of our efforts, we have the negotiations towards a chemical weapons convention. We are happy to note that the efforts of Ambassador Morel of France, as Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on Chemical Weapons last year, are being matched this year by his able successor, Ambassador Hyltenius of Sweden, as we move forward towards a convention. We welcome the bilateral agreement between the United States and the USSR on the destruction of their CW stocks and CW production facilities, 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the Conference on Disarmament and its efforts to prevent the militarization of outer space. It mentions specific proposals to halt the development of anti-satellite weapons, dismantle existing systems, and prohibit the introduction of new weapon systems in outer space. The text also touches on the issue of verification and the stagnation of negotiations. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting a focus on international relations and global governance. This suggests that the text is more focused on international politics and security than on other areas.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations