believe it is prudent to avoid actions that would prejudice the possibilities for success of the bilaterial negotiations. The United States delegation supports the mandate for, and the recently agreed work programme of, the Outer Space Committee, and compliments the persistent efforts of its chairman, Ambassador Alfarargi, that have belatedly borne fruit in the programme of work. My delegation is pleased that the relevance of existing agreements to the prevention of an arms race in outer space will be examined and assessed as a part of this work programme, because the work of the Committee will be most successful if it is founded on a full understanding of, and appreciation for, the present legal régime, as well as on a commitment to uphold it. It is appropriate that the Committee will also consider proposals for future initiatives on the prevention of such an arms race. Unfortunately, portions of the Soviet statement and those of its allies cannot be construed as contributing constructively to our work on agenda item J. I have in mind particularly the polemical attacks against certain United States research activities, which are, as well, inaccurately described. The activities referred to are those of the Strategic Defence Initiative. CD/PV.J21 8 (Mr. Lowitz, United. States ) In my statement of 19 March of this year I outlined, both the nature and. purposes of this programme, but in light of these new assertions, I shall state them once again. The Strategic Defence Initiative is a programme to explore technologies that might someday be useful in providing a defence against nuclear ballistic missile attack. The Soviet Union and some others have chosen to exploit this Conference by making it a forum for the campaign to pressure the United States to agree to unilateral renunciation of strategic defence research, 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a diplomatic statement discussing international relations and negotiations, specifically regarding the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The language used is formal and technical, suggesting a high-level meeting or conference. The text also mentions specific programs and initiatives, such as the Strategic Defence Initiative, which is a technology research program. Given these factors, it is likely that the text is related to international diplomacy and science/technology.

**Category**
Science and technology, International trade