5' socialist countries have also underlined the priority of the prevention ofnuclear war and the consequent urgency of concrete st,eps towards that end. Theyhave denounced strategic concepts or doctrines based on the assumption that, it is possible to attain victory in a nuclear vrar and have emphasized that such doctrinesalso implied the first use of nuclear weapons. rn that respect, they have st,ressedthe importance of commitment.s by nuclear-weapon states on the non-first use ofnucLear uteapons' They also consider thaE it is of special significance for solvingthe probrem of the prevention of nuclear vrar that relat.ions between nucLear-weaponstates be regulated by certain norns of a mandatory character and have supporE,ed anumber of specific proposals to that effect (see cDl444). Apart from calling forundertakings by all nucrear-hteapon states not to be the first to use nucrearneapons, socialist countries have supSrorted the elaboration of a conventionprohibitinE the use of nucrear rdeapons and have also proposed the conclusion of aworLd treaty on the non-use of force in international relations. rn addition, theyattach importance to such measures as Ehe freezing, under appropriate verification,of nuclear lteapons in both guant.itative and qualitaLive terms; Lhe concrusion of a treaty on the comprete and general prohibition of nucrear-weapon Eests and, pendingthe conclusion of such a t'reaLy, a morat,orium by al1 nucle"r-r"."pon states on arlnuclear explosions; the preventiott of the "pr."d of the nuclear-arms race to otherspheres, in particurar out.er space; the prevention of the proriferation of nuclearweapons in any form and, in that connection, universal adherence to the Treaty onthe Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons (see General Assembly resolution2373 (xxrr) ) ' They have also stated their readiness to consider other appropriatemeasures' such as the prevention of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclearweapons and the avoidance of the possibility of surprise attacks (see cD/406t.A/40/498 Engl ish PaEe 6 5. WesEern countries, in attaching uEmost importance to the question, emphasize that the fornulation of the relevant iEen in the agenda of. the conference on DisarmamenE clearly indicaEed Ehat the prevention of nuclear ldar could not be dealt with separately fron the prevention of war in general. In their view, the pursuit of security and stability at the lowesE, possible levels of armamenEs reguires a comprehensive strategy, the key concepts of which are the renunciation of force' restraiht, balanced and verifiable disarmament measures and confidence-buildinE' western coungries stress the importance of strict compliance by all states with their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the obligation to refrain fron the Etrreat or use of force and Eo settle all political aisputes by peaceful means. While Ehey have sEated on many occasions that nuclear war canno! be won and should not. be fought, they believe thatr in the Present circumstances, the nuclear factor continues to be a basic element in the balance needed for nainEaining peace and security. In rejecting Ehe idea of declarations on the prohibition of uL. ot first use limited to nuclear weapons, which, in their view, would be unverifiable and would fail to prevent armed conflict' they have repeatedly affirned Ehat none of their weapons would ever be used except in response to armed attack and that their nuclear arsenals had a single function'
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing international relations and security, specifically the prevention of nuclear war and the role of nuclear weapons in international relations. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it may be a document from an international organization or a statement from a government. The text references specific international agreements and resolutions, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons, which further supports this analysis.

**Category**
International relations, Security