ABSTRACT
A paradoxical, delicate and dangerous situation is developing in the world at the present time. It is generally recognized that a nuclear war, even if there had been an attempt to restrict it to a particular territory, target or number of strikes, would inevitably develop into a general, all-out war, with catastrophic consequences for the world. 'Progress’ in the development of nuclear weapons is not, however, confined to a quantitative buildup of the warheads and the means of delivery. The process of qualitative sophistication of nuclear weapons is even more formidable. Many governments, statesmen, public figures and politicians are genuinely concerned to prevent nuclear war, and are engaged in an active search for realistic and effective measures that could halt the slide towards danger and reverse it. If the first use of nuclear weapons were renounced, the only acceptable use of nuclear weapons would be in retaliation to nuclear aggression.
