whole. 42. Such a will to negotiate on both sides is. regret- tably, a rare enough feature of debates .in this Coun- cil. Where it does exist, the Council must surely try to build on this fact. We must support negotiations: and we must give every encouragement to countries uf the region, such as Mexico, that have been working in recent weeks to get negotiations under way. In this way-and contrary to criticisms sometimes made of our Organization-we shall be using the Council and the United Nations as it should be used: as an instrument to ease tensions and reduce the danger of conflict between States. 43. Over recent weeks, the efforts of the Govern- ment of Mexico have been channelled very much in that direction. Proposals made publicly by Mexico envisage three main points: the threat or use of force should be ruled out: there should be a balanced reduc- tion of military forces in the area. involving also an end to the training and activities of paramilitary groups outside Nicaragua and a willingness by Nicaragua itself to halt its own military build-up; and there should be a system of non-aggression pacts, both between Nicaragua and the United States and also within the region generally, There is much here in those Mexi- can proposals of interest which those directly in- volved could consider and explore further. 44. For our part, I should like to encourage here warmly, on behalf of my delegation, these efforts to mediate and to start a dialogue undertaken by the President of Mexico, Mr. L6pez Portillo, and by Foreign Minister Castatieda. Recent reports about the prospects have alternated between optjmism and pessimism. But with all our heart we wish success to every such attempt to start a real dialogue between 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international relations, diplomacy, and conflict resolution, specifically in the context of negotiations between countries in the region, including Nicaragua, Mexico, and the United States. The language used suggests that the author is emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation to ease tensions and reduce the danger of conflict.

**Category**
International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief