3I!9' Another dimension of security is the softenhat theoretical- riistinction betueenreality and perception. Hence" in the r.ilitary fietd, capability is distinguishedfron tbe intentions for use. The rray in lrhich a state assesses its nationalsecurity wi11, by clefinition. depend. on its nerception of the actuar- or potentialthr€ats to r'rhich its security and other needs are subJected and on its cipacitlr toneet such threats. Perception nay be critical, especially rhen it leads a stateto conclude that its securi.ty is threatened. Even when such a belief is rnistahen,it nay have a self -fulfiI1i.ng character - and so stinul-ate an arns race or;";;.;'conflict betveen states. The nati.onal security of a state nay be threat"r,.d ,.rltonly by military force but al-so by political and econornic measures. vul-nerabilityt'hich d.erives fYom a depend.ence on other countries may. ho\"rever. be turned into astate of nutua] interclependence , rn this case, hostile action by one countrycoul"d. hurt all and. thus be counterprod.uctive . 350. 0n1y a handfuJ- of States so far possess nuclear r.reapons. l+9/ The reasons foracquirir.rg them are nany; enhancement of national securiiy_ thE-enhancenent ofnational status and prestige, the protection of national inalependence and freedomof action, the promotion of scientific and teehnol_ogical deveiopnent, pressuresfron special" interest groups lrithin Governnents and the desire to have a'paral ount instlument of policy. It is therefore liirely that these s€lre notives. orsonre of them" could be invol<ed also by other gtates going nuclear. 351. it shou-ld be kept in rnind that the large naJo!.ity of states are in no positionto d-evel"op nuclear r/eapons. A gleat numb€r of States have renounced theaccluisition of nuclear \\'eapons, C,irectly or indirectly, including through,adherence to the Treaty on the lion -protiferation of l{uclear lleapons, the Treatyfor the Prohibition of ifucreax r,Ieapons in Latin America (Treaty of rlatelolco) andother internationar agreements. At the same time, there are some states, belongingA/351392 English Armex