cannot see at t,his time a realistic alternative to it. Italy is Eherefore ready to discuss within the conEext of the United Nations the merits of the niliEary doct,rine it considers as the only one which currently responds to its own security inEerests, but cannot accept a discussion based on an aprioristic rejection of that doctrine and ained at negotiating measures which are clearly incompatible wi.t.h it and are in fact specifically designed to undermine iE. 3. The Government of ltaly believes that bhe problern of the prevention of nuclear war cannot be realislicatly considered, at least from the poinE of view of a European country, except in the wider conbext of the prevenEion of war as such. Nuclear neapons are a reality of today's world and as long as t,hey exist, the risk of escalation of any major conflict to the nuclear level will also conEinue Eo exist whatever commitments are made as to the modalities of their use. The measures which are routinely considered by the General Assembly would only result in the illusion that conventional conflicts involving crucial security int,erests could be maintained aE the conventional level, thus increasing rather than preventing the danger of nuclear war. 4. Therefore, Ehe GovernmenE, of Italy believes that any consideration of the problem of the prevention of war, including nuclear r^tar, requires a prelininary review of the approach followed so far in United Nations resolutions. A strategic doctrine aimed at preventing war in a specific region of the world cannot be rejected outright by countries whose security interests are not involved in theA/40/498 English Page 54
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a diplomatic statement from the Italian government, discussing its stance on nuclear warfare and the prevention of war. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating that the text is likely a official government document. The focus is on security interests, international relations, and the prevention of war, which suggests that the text may be related to international politics and security.

**Category**
International relations, Security