expectation that it is possible to win a nuclear war by being the first tc use nuclear weapons. The States represented at the meeting wish to stress as forcefully as possible that any expectation of winning a nuclear war after unleashing it is senseless. If a nuclear war is started, there can be no winners. Such a war would inevitably lead to the destruction of whole nations, to enormous devastation and catastrophic conse­ quences -for civilization and life itself on earth. A military policy based on such expectations will inevitably have other extremely dangerous consequences as well. First, the creation and deployment of ever newer systems of nuclear weapons and other means of mass destruction will increas­ ingly undermine the stability of the military and strategic situation, heighten international tension and complicate relations between States. Secondly, a new escalation of the arms race is inconsistent with the maintaining of the military and strategic equilibrium at suc­ cessively lower levels, the goal of the Warsaw Treaty countries, which are opposed to military competition. Realization of those programmes of escalated arms build-up will raise the levels of mili­ tary confrontation. Peace will become even more unstable and fragile. Thirdly, in the new round of the arms race, nuclear weapons and other means of mass destruction will be even more complex. That will make it much more difficult to work out international agreements on their reduction and limitation. Accordingly, the States represented at the meeting believe that it is necessary to act without delay, as long as there is still a chance to halt the arms race and to start disarmament. In this, they proceed from the assumption that all States concerned about the future of their peoples and all mankind have an objective duty to prevent the world from sliding towards war. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a statement on the dangers of nuclear war and the need to prevent it, rather than a discussion of a specific policy or action plan. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting a international agreement or treaty. The topics mentioned, such as the arms race, disarmament, and the prevention of war, are all related to international relations and security.

**Category**
International relations, Defense and Security