war is to make deep and verifiable reductions in the guantities of nuclear lreapons themselves. We have therefore advanced proposals for the complete elinination ofA/40/ 498 English Page 78 an entire class of intermediate-range nuclear forces and for substantial. reductionsto egual levels of strategic ballistic missile forces, so that there will be anuclear balance at a significantly lower arrcl verifiable level. Such a balance isessential for maintaining stability and security and minirnizing the danger of war.Moreover, the United States believes that energing defensive technologies,especially those of non-nuclear rneans of defense against attack by nuclear lreapons,hold the promise of enhancing deterrence and moving us toh,ard our goal of theeventual elimination of all nuclear weapons. 7. The Government of the United States is therefore pleased that it has beenpossible to agree with the Soviet Union to begin negotiations on strategicoffensive and defensive systems. The United States will exert every effort to make those negotiations successful. 8. The United States welcomes the interest of many nations in the problem of theprevention of war, particularly nuclear nar, not least because we believe itconstitutes a recognition by such nations that they share with the nuclear hreapon States the responsibility for achieving that goal. They wi11, the United Stateshopes, increasingly concern themselves with such issues as conrpliance with armscontrol agreements - both the historical record and what it can teach us about thedesign of new treaties, so tbat they can avoid the weaknesses of the past. 9. t{ar is also made nore likely when military capabilities and activities are soclothed in secrecy that nations must prepare for the worst. For this reason, theUnited States believes that all States would be better off if those which cling toguch secretiveness would recognize the extent to which their behaviour works
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a statement on international relations and arms control, discussing the reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons, defensive technologies, and the importance of transparency in military activities. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it is a government or official statement. The focus on nuclear weapons and defense systems suggests a strong connection to national security and international relations.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology