structures usually associated with und.erground. testing of nuclear weapons " 111/ Anerican authorities then inforned othe" capitals of this. 7O, I.Iith the evidence mounting of a possible inrninent South African nuclear- weapon test, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of France, the United Kingdom, the Federal Republi.c of Gernany, the United states, and the Soviet Union moveti in mid-August I9T7 to deter that possible test. l-f2 / Prench l4inister for Foreign Affairs Louis de Guiringaud warned that if a test occr.rred "tr'rance will- condenn it and take action accordj.ngfy, " 113/ whi1e, sinilarly, the United. states spoke of the I'serious inplications" of a test, ca11ed the matter of "gravest concern," and sought assurances fron South Africa about the "epo"ts of an iminent test. 114/ Ind.icating their seriousness, the ldestern nations are reported. to have threatened. privately to break diplomatic relations if South Africa tested. a nucfear weapon. 115/ 7I. South Africa consistentfy denied the reports that a nuclear-ffeapon test was irminent, calling them, in the word.s of Foreign Minister Roelof F. 3otha, "wholly and totally unfoundedrr. ]rti/ zut faced. with growing pressure from these western Goverrments, South Africa provided those previously cited assurances (see para. 66) that it had no nuclear weapons and did not intend to cond.uct any nuclear explosive tests nov or in the future. lU/ However, such statements made by the covernment of South Africa were not consolid.ated by the readiness of that Government to allow representatives of the international co$nunity access to the possible nuclear test site or to ad.here to the Treaty on the Non-Prol-iferation of Nuclear Weapons. The behaviour of South Africa created suspicion of serious contingency preparations in readiness for a possible future nuclear explosive test. The unanimous adoption of resolution )+18 (197?) by the Security Council later that
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a diplomatic situation between Western countries and South Africa regarding the possibility of a nuclear weapons test. The language used is formal and official, suggesting a governmental or international organization context. The topic is related to international relations, diplomacy, and arms control, which are all related to the field of science and technology.

**Category**
Science and technology