asked in 2005,
answered by Angie Zelter

1. How do you reconcile your work for TP and your responsibility for your family?

Responsibility for my family includes working for global peace and justice and showing (giving) an example of global citizenship. Thus I try to keep a balance between inner and outer work, close family time and “global/local” work. The two are intermingled and deeply connected. Deep personal family connections are important but are a part of my deep connection to the human family as a whole.


2. How do you ensure the safety and the transparency of your actions?

I try never to engage in any physical activity that I do not know the consequences of. I put myself imaginatively to the position of the soldiers, security guards, police or authorities or treat them like my brothers, sisters, children – as I would like to be treated, politely and with respect and love. I make sure the “authorities” are aware of who I am and what I have done. I do not hide after the action but bear responsibility for the action.


3. Imagine you would succeed in disarming the UK’s nuclear weapons programme. Would like to live in a world with North Korea being the only country to own nuclear weapons?

I would work on disarming other nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional weapon systems. But I need to take prime responsibility for my own nation’s nuclear weapons first.


4. Aren’t you encouraging lawlessness by breaking the law?

Prevention of international war crimes is not a crime and is not breaking the law even though the courts and judicial systems are ruling otherwise. It is the police and justice system encouraging lawlessness by threaten mass destruction.


5. You have not stopped the UK having nuclear weapons – isn’t your work a waste of time?

It is never a waste of time to protest against great evil. Even standing alone and saying no is better than nothing. We must keep alive our hope and strength and make it possible for more people to join in the work of people’s disarmament.


6. What effect has the RLA had on your work?

It has given us international recognition; the money has helped us organise better.
The contact between laureates is beginning to become useful.