"31.Inconnection with.thelatterproposal, somedelegations observed thatthe textconcerned hadseriousdeficiencies, interalia,becauseofi~sunequal approach, theimprecision ofitsdefinitions, anditslackofeffective verification proposals. "32.""omeotherdelegations rejected thoseassertions andpointed outthat,if suchpreliminary observations hadanygroundatall,theycouldbeconsidered intheco~rseofthenegotiations withaviewtoelaborating agenerally agreedcomprehensive agreement toprevent anarmsraceinouterspace. "33.Various delegations referred to.suggestions orproposals concerning the prohibition ofanti-satellite systems andtheprotection ofsatellites.' The viewwasexpressed thatthemaintaskshouldbetonegotiate aninternational treatybanningallspaceweapons, including weapons directed against targets inspace. Suchabanshouldcoverthedevelopment, testing anddeployment of ASATweapons onEarth,intheatmosphere andinouterspaceandshouldinclude thedestruction ofexisting ASATsystems. Furthermore, inthisview,damage, disturbance andharmful interference inthenormalfunctioning ofpermitted spaceobjects shouldbeforbidden ininternational agreements inorderto strengthen theOuterSpaceTreatyandconfirm theInternational Telecommunications Convention. "34.Somedelegations notedthattherewereanumberofquestions thatwould havetQbeaddressed intheconsideration ofabanonASATsystems, interalia, thedefinition ofanti-satellite weapons, theproblem ofdual-purpose spacecraft andtheproblems posedbythefactthatABMandASATtechnologies sharedcommon elements. Itwassuggested that,takinginto'account theneedtoassurethe verifiability ofeventual treatycommitments, thefirstobjective shouldbeto prohibit untested anti-satellite systems, i.e.,systems.capable ofhitting satellites inhigh orbit~ Thedesirability ofabanonsuchsystems wasstressed onthegroundsthathighaltitude satellites performed anumberofstabilizing functions. 'Theviewwasexpressed thatanagreement banning thedevelopment, testing anddeployment ofhigh-altitude ASATsystems shouldberegarded asa firststeptowards morecomprehensive agreements toprevent anarmsracein outerspace. "35.Various delegations notedthatbilateral agreements, suchasthe1972 ABMTreatyandthetwoSALTagreements, provided protection forsatellites of -121-tthepartiesthatservedasnational technical meansofverification and suggested thedesirability ofmultilateralizing thatimmunity tocoverthe satellites ofthirdcountries. "36.Onthisquestion, theviewwasalsoexpressed thattheConference on Disarmament should,initsexploration ofissuesrelevant toarmscontrolin outerspace,consider thepossibility oftheprotection fromattackofall satellites whichcontributed tothepreservation ofstrategic stability and' whichwereinstrumental inmonitoring armscontrol anddisarmament agreements. Further~ore, thissameprotection shouldbeextended tothegroundstations essential fortheoperation ofthosesatellites. "37.Onedelegation, recalling thatnuclear-weapon Stateshadusedmilitary satellites insupportofmilitary actions against developing countries, held thatthiswasamajorconsideration tobetakenintoaccountinconnection with thequestion oftheprotection ofsatellites. Itfurtherstatedthat international peaceandsecurity couldnotbeallowedtodependonsuchconcepts asstrategic stability fortheylayattheheartoftheaction/reaction process thatperpetuated thenuclear armsraceandwithitthedangeroftheannihilation ofmankind. "38.Inconnection withthestatement intheparagraph above;somedelegations pointed outthatstrategic stability isanobjectively important factorin maintaining andstrengthening peaceandinternational security, andthatthey continued tostrivetomaintain military balanceatthelowestpossible level. "39.,otherdelegations addedthattheconceptofstrategic s~ability andthe meansofitsimplementation employed bytheircountries werefUllyconsistent withtheobligations ofallStatestosettleinternational disputes bypeacefUl meansandtorefrain fromtheuseorthreatofuseofforceagainst the territorial integrity orpolitical independence ofanyState. "40.Somedelegations wereofth~opinionthatallaspectsofthearmsrace1n outerspaceshouldbedealtwithinordertoachieve acomprehensive regimeto prevent anarmsraceinouterspace. Intheirview,theprinciples of demilitarization shouldbeextended toencompass outerspaceasawhole. "41.Various delegations heldthatverifiability wasafundamental criterion thatshouldbeapplied ~ntheconsideration ofproposals relating tothe prevention ofanarmsraceinouterspace. Theypointed outthat;asdiscussed indocument CD/OS/WP.7, inthecaseofmostexisting agreements, forexample, theENMODConvention andtheOuterSpaceTreaty',verification provisions were limited. Theysuggested that,atthepresent stageoftechnical development,
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a discussion on international negotiations and agreements related to the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The language used is technical and diplomatic, indicating a focus on international relations, diplomacy, and international law. The text mentions various treaties and agreements, as well as the need for verification and demilitarization. The themes of security, stability, and the prevention of conflict are also prominent. Given these characteristics, it is likely that the text falls under the category of international relations or diplomacy.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations