143. Since the nuclear arms race constitutes the gravest threat to internationalsecurity, the nuclear powers owe it as much to themselves a6 to the rest of the htorld to take effective measures to first halt and then reverse its course.Controlling the nuclear arns race uithout negotiated agreenents to lower the levelsof nilitary build-ups is like erecting walls around a bottonless pit. The eacalatory spiral of the nuclear arms race cannot be broken r{lthout effective measures to stop the testing. stockpiling, production and deplo!'ment of nucleararsenals. If political confidence is a precondition for lowering the levels ofmilitary bulld-ups, then neasures of military conf idence-buildi-ng wiu serve the Purpose of both ddlente and disarnanent. For pronbting a general lowering of the1evels of military build-ups in accordance with the prlnciple of undlninishedsecurity, it needs to be relEnbered that the security of the smatlest country ls as lmportant for lts natlonal well-being as that of the largest nilltary power.International agreements for reducing nilitary build-ups, therefore, require theparticipation of all countries and a peaceful resolution of all conflictsituations. A grqring consensus atnong tbe non-aligned and neutral countries as expressed in their submissions to the second special session of the General Assenbly devoted to disarnanent is clearly etnerging. This includes a strong emphasis on confining national security concerns to concrete threats of aggressionacross frontierst securlty guarantees agalnst the threat or use of nuclear neapon s against a non-nuclear-weapon Statet and urgent neasures to resolve the survivingconflict situatlons arising out of the poticles of eolonialism and racism. Di sarnament cannot progress if use of force contlnues to rernain a prevailing factorin present international relations. An international climate should be built in Yrhich the existing confl icting situations h'ould be solved solely by peaceful nean6 and in which refrainirq fron the threat or use of force would becoEe the basic nornof international life. So that end, the mechanisms of the United Nations for the
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the issue of nuclear arms race and its impact on international security, emphasizing the need for cooperation and agreements to reduce military build-ups and promote disarmament. The discussion is centered on political and diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts and promote peaceful relations, rather than economic or social development. The text also highlights the importance of international cooperation and the role of the United Nations in promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts.

**Category**
International relations, Security and defense