The document discusses miscalculations by public officials, arms control experts, journalists, and the general public regarding the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks; assesses the Salt II treaty; and suggests criteria for appraising Salt II. The objective is to stimulate research, education, dialogue, and political action which will contribute to a movement for a just world order. It is suggested that miscalculations regarding Salt II stem from failure to conduct a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation in light of criteria which take future security needs into account. Six criteria are suggested--the liklihood that Salt II will slow the arms buildup, lead toward renunciation of nuclear weapons, lead toward abandonment of the arms competition, increase public understanding of the causes of the arms buildup, stimulate more effective public pressure to achieve comprehensive arms reductions, and/or strengthen multilateral demilitarization procedures by international organizations. The conclusion is that if decision makers and other interested people apply these criteria to the Salt II treaty, they will concede that negotiation and ratification have facilitated mounting military expenditures and destructive capability without enhancing security. (Author/DB)