Comparative research of public communication in 23 countries about arms control talks between USA and USSR in 1986. Importance of USA and USSR signing treaty on arms control / heard or read about restart of arms control talks / influence of arms control talks on chance of a nuclear war: own opinion and perceived opinion of most people in own country / frequency of talking with others about chance of a nuclear war / most and least important source of information about problems of rearmament and disarmament. Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ household characteristics/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ politics/ readership, mass media, and 'cultural' exposure