reciprocal, and comparable basis. Their purpose is to create a better understanding of each side's ballistic missile defence activities as early as the research stage - years before the appearance of advanced defences in the field. At the Wyoming ministerial, Secretary of State Baker began an effort to see whether the areas of agreement on predictability measures could be expanded to become a point of mutual advantage. To stimulate our Soviet colleagues' understanding of the United States predictability measures for CD/PV.553 9 (Mr. Smith. United States ) "visits to laboratories", Secretary Baker offered a first-hand, practical demonstration. He invited a group of Soviet experts to visit two United States laboratories conducting SDI research. The visit took place last December and was very successful. My friend Ambassador Yuri Nazarkin, who led the group, described the visit as a useful confidence-building measure. The Soviet experts received briefings, saw hardware first-hand, and had an opportunity to ask numerous questions of United States scientists conducting the research. The visit was designed both to foster transparency and to stimulate the negotiations on predictability measures. Subsequent to the visit, we were pleased when the Soviet Union accepted the concept of visits to laboratories as a predictability measure. At the meeting between Secretary Baker and Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in Washington earlier this month, the United States proposed that the two sides agree on predictability measures in the form of a free-standing agreement - not linked to the ABM Treaty. The United States draft agreement calls on the parties to implement the predictability measures I have just outlined. To illustrate how such an agreement might work and to inform our negotiations, last month in Geneva the United States proposed reciprocal pilot implementation of the United States predictability measures for a single 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a diplomatic effort to increase transparency and understanding between the United States and the Soviet Union regarding ballistic missile defense activities. The focus is on scientific research and laboratory visits, suggesting a category related to science and technology.

**Category**
Science and Technology