America, Romania and the Netherlands. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States of America, Ambassador Lowitz. Mr. LOWITZ (United States of America): Mr. President, as I take the floor for the first time during July, I offer you my delegation's congratulations on your assumption of the chair. We are pleased to have this further opportunity to work closely with you and your delegation. I am only sorry to learn that you will shortly be leaving us. I wish you well in your new endeavours. Today I will address briefly the fifth item of our agenda, that of the prevention of an arms race in outer space. I had not intended to speak in plenary this summer on this item inasmuch as I made a rather comprehensive statement in the spring and the work of the Outer Space Committee at long last is beginning. However, I am compelled to respond to the remarks made at our previous plenary meeting by the distinguished representative of the Soviet Union, Ambassador Issraelyn, and to statements made by representatives of other delegations of the socialist group. The United States believes, and has always believed, that outer space should only be used for peaceful purposes. To this end, here in Geneva the United States is engaged in bilateral negotiations with the Soviet Union, including the negotiating group on defence and space arms. My delegation is also participating actively in the work of our own Ad Hoc. Committee on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space. In this Committee, the United States stands ready to discuss issues relating to outer space in a manner consistent with and complementary to the bilateral negotiations. But in our work in the Conference on Disarmament we 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the prevention of an arms race in outer space, which suggests that it is related to issues of security, defense, and technology. The mention of bilateral negotiations with the Soviet Union and participation in the Ad Hoc Committee on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space further supports this hypothesis.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations