regarding the thrust of predictability measures, and then to give some thought to the actual conduct of such measures. Ambassador Smith mentioned the visit I made in December 1989 as a member of a group of Soviet experts to the American laboratories at San Juan Capistrano and Los Alamos. We consider such visits to be a means of building confidence between the USSR and the United States. The contacts that have been established between Soviet and American experts, both in the course of visiting these two laboratories and in the course of informal discussions on individual aspects of the ABM problem, are useful. Moreover, this trip, as we saw it, reconfirmed how important it is that the ABM-related activities of the parties should not move beyond the confines of the ABM Treaty. I now turn to the state of affairs regarding the drawing up of the START treaty. That work continues on the basis of the major parameters codified in the joint statements issued following the Washington (1987) and Moscow (1988) summits. The delegations' endeavours are now focused on negotiating joint draft texts of the treaty proper and its accompanying documents, that is. CD/PV.553 16 (Mr. Nazarkin. USSR) a memorandum containing base-line data on Soviet and United States strategic offensive arms and protocols on procedures for conducting inspections, conversion or elimination, etc. These drafts contain fully agreed articles and provisions and partially agreed language. One of the most difficult problems being dealt with at the talks is the problem of measures to verify compliance with the future treaty on strategic offensive arms. Of course, in this connection the practice and experience acquired with the implementation of the INF Treaty are being drawn on. However, the subject and the scope 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing international diplomacy and disarmament agreements, specifically the ABM Treaty and the START treaty. It mentions visits to laboratories, expert discussions, and the negotiation of treaty drafts. The language used is formal and technical, indicating a focus on international relations and diplomacy.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations