free access for all to the purely civilian applications of the chemical industry. While the conclusion of an agreement on the prohibition of chemical weapons represents a priority aim for our Conference, other issues are of no less primordial and crucial importance for this body. I have in mind nuclear disarmament, without which anything else that is achieved will remain precarious and subject to doubt. We reiterate the opinion that it is vital for our Conference to tackle the nuclear issues at last in order to justify its existence, which is closely linked with the nuclear threat hanging over the survival of mankind. The unrestrained nuclear arms race which has marked the last two decades has taken on substantial dimensions which are out of all proportion to the alleged requirements for security or deterrence. It was obviously time to start negotiations in the Conference to put an end to this competition. The dialogue under way between the two super-Powers on this subject has fortunately opened up some new prospects. At all events, our Conference cannot stand aside from this process. The expected results of the future START agreement will, in spite of their scope, remain limited. Even after such an agreement, the arsenals of the two super-Powers will still contain no less than 30,000 nuclear warheads. The result will be continued serious disquiet at the risk of a nuclear holocaust, and for the future of détente in international relations. This is why we will not cease repeating that no nuclear disarmament process, however broad it may be, will be complete as long as it is not based on a nuclear test ban. In this respect we are bound to note that our Conference has been making persistent efforts for more than five years to agree on the terms of the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement or speech, focusing on international relations, disarmament, and the prevention of nuclear war. The language used is formal and technical, indicating a discussion of complex issues in the field of international politics. The text does not mention economic development, natural resources, or specific industries, but rather emphasizes the importance of disarmament and the need for international cooperation.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations