informal meetings. We are disappointed, therefore, that despite the urgency accorded to this subject, and the flexibility displayed by the Group of 21, the Conference on Disarmament is not able to discharge its own mandate, which is reflected in paragraph 120 of the Final Document of SSOD-I. However, the Group of 21 is prepared to start consideration of this item in informal plenary meetings in the hope that the importance of the matter will lead to a rethinking on the part of those who have expressed reservations on the mandate proposed by us. Mr. von STULPNAGEL (Federal Republic of Germany) : The delegations of the Western Group on whose behalf I speak have constantly stressed the significance of the nuclear items on our agenda. For many years draft mandates as just alluded to, calling for the establishment of ad hoc committees on these agenda items, have not been able to meet consensus. The Western Group continues to believe that the problems of nuclear disarmament and prevention of nuclear war can only be dealt with satisfactorily in the broader context of prevention of war in general. Narrowing the discussion down only to the problems of nuclear weapons would not do justice to the import of the objectives. What is needed is a comprehensive approach embracing arms control and disarmament and defence. It is important, therefore, to ensure that interrelationships between arms control issues and defence requirements, and between the various arms control areas, are fully considered. It is with this objective that the Western countries continue actively and constructively to approach these items. The Western Group considers that the establishment of subsidiary bodies for items 2 and 3 remains inappropriate. Under current circumstances, informal and plenary meetings constitute the most suitable framework for the continuation of work on the important nuclear questions.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international relations and diplomacy, specifically the Conference on Disarmament and the Group of 21. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a discussion among governments or international organizations. The topic of disarmament and arms control suggests that the category is related to international security or politics.

**Category**
International security, Science and technology