UN General Assembly
1983

potential of nuclear weapons threatens the very survival of mankind, fears about the dangers of nuclear war have become more pronounced than before. The prevention of nuclear war has emerged into the foreground as the burning issue of the day. Arms and technology are but tools of war, and factors influencing the likelihood of war is more political in nature. Removing the possibility of a nuclear clash means towering the existing dangerously high tensions. The great Powers have a special position with regard to this matter, because the ultimate decision as to peace and war rests with them. In the present situation, there can be no major war without their participation and equally there can be no genuine peace unless both of them will it. Thus they share between them an extremely heavy burden of responsibility, not only to their own people out to entire humanity as a whole. 270. World public attention and expectations are now focused on the ongoing talks between the great Powers relating to medium-range nuclear systems and strategic