Beslan, where the Russian authorities stopped live coverage of the school being stormed, was an illustration of the progress we still have to make.

I wrote in the book very specifically what I wanted to write about, period, and left it at.

I have no time for the endless nostalgia: 'Oh gosh I used to . . . ' Life is too short; I don't have any time for sitting and saying I miss things. What's the point? Go and do something else.'

Having had loving people who brought me up, and then I find another set of people. That really is a double blessing.

No two wars are identical.

I also read modern novels - I have just had to read 60 as I am one of the judges for the Orange Fiction Prize.

On the Northern Ireland question, for instance, the British and Irish governments prohibit media contact with members of the IRA, but we have always gone ahead, believing in the right to information.