The further you reduce them, the bigger in relative terms grows the significance of errors and omissions. Exchange of data that are until now classified and systematic building of confidence through more tranparency are important steps. To eliminate nuclear weapons with some confidence, it is essential to know exactly how many of them have been produced, where they are and how many have already been destroyed. These, Mr. Chairman, are practical steps to reflect about. It seems to me that they could now form the focus of our discussions.
Reduction is rather the only practicable way to approach elimination.
It is in my view irrelevant to discuss whether and when we will reach this distant goal. We should devote all our efforts to continued, steady progress in this direction. We have covered an impressive stretch of that way. We know, a long, arduous path still lies ahead. Let us move on, step by step, cautiously avoiding disasters - and not expecting sudden miracles.