text: because of a then existing political will and because of a long preceding period of thought and preparation. In the East-West context, member States of NATO and Warsaw Pact have shown themselves receptive to change. From being former opponents, they now consider joint statements on non-aggression and discuss a new security concept resulting in a defensive posture on both sides. But practical action too is envisaged. In this context I can mention specifically the Netherlands/Polish CFE trial inspection. If former adversaries can do so, we in the CD, partners in negotiations and consultations, should be able to sit down and tackle constructively the various issues which still divide us, be they global, regional or intraregional. How, then, do these changes affect our work on the nuclear issues in the CD? The States assembled in the CD agree on the desirable outcome of a number of issues, for example nuclear disarmament. All of us agree that eventually we should reach the goal of a peaceful and stable world free of nuclear arms. We may disagree about the approach towards this goal and the determination of the political circumstances which will have to prevail for all States if they are indeed to engage in such far reaching nuclear disarmament. Radical solutions rarely promote stability and this applies just as much, if not especially, to the case of nuclear disarmament. Nuclear weapons were and are, in the East-West context, essential components in an extremely complex security equation. That equation was more or less stable over a long period of time, but is now changing fast. The consequences of that change are not clear as yet, but the role of nuclear weapons in our defence will certainly become less prominent. For example, in their recent London summit Declaration on a transformed North Atlantic Alliance (document CD/1013), NATO members 
analysis: The text appears to be discussing international relations and security matters, specifically the changes in the East-West context and its implications on the work of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting a focus on high-level negotiations and agreements.