UN General Assembly
1982

present, but there can be no progress anywhere on the arms control front until the two leading nuclear Powers agree on what to do about their strategic arms. 173. As rapidly as the situation permits, those bearing the main responsibility for the arms race must begin the critical transition from deterrence to disarmament, for it soon may be beyond the reach of efforts to initiate the process. The main ground for advocating this is that, ultimately, it offers the only hope of the continuance of human survival. 174. Developments in the Middle East this year took a dramatic turn for the worse. Tension sharpened and escalated fighting led to direct military intervention in Lebanon. The policy and practice of sending a punitive expedition of such formidable strength can only be deplored. The action constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and is yet another example of the use and abuse of force. It is abundantly clear that such actions are completely at variance with the norms of conduct in international relations and cannot