Asian Security: The Great Debate

Mankind is waging a struggle for survival. It is precisely in these terms that one shall interpret the extension by the Soviet Union of the unilateral moratorium and the fresh peace initiatives put foreword by the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The fresh Soviet initiatives concerning the vast Asian Pacific region are an important part of the concept of a comprehensive international security system, which was put forward by the Soviet Union earlier. It is necessary to resolve a number of vital problems for peaceful cooperation of states, for military, and consequently for political d?tente in the Asian-Pacific region. The Soviet Union proposes that a search be conducted for the settlement of regional problems, and a reliable barrier by put up in the way of proliferation and build-up of nuclear weapons there, that talks be started on a reduction of the activity of the navies (in the first place of ships equipped with nuclear munitions), that the discussion of confidence building measures and non-use of force be placed on a practical footing. To improve the situation in the region, it is necessary in the first place to ensure a cut in the nuclear potentials of the states situated in it, resolve the problem of local conflicts. A great role in that could be played by outlining new forms of economic cooperation and the adoption of a code sealing the principles of conduct of the countries belonging to it, so as to ensure their security.