AU slams EU 'double standards'
21/03/2007 19:14  - (SA)  

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Kaunda calls for action on Zim Kaunda calls for action on Zim UK calls for tough sanctions West steps up heat on Mugabe SA lays Zim crisis at MDC door

Brussels - The African Union (AU) denounced on Wednesday EU "double standards" in taking action against Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe while ignoring abuses by other African leaders.

AU representative in Brussels, ambassador Mahamat Annadif, said: "I would have preferred that there were no double standards at European level, even for judging heads of state."

"We talk about Zimbabwe, but for me there are other heads of state who are just as important to avoid as Mugabe, but they have support ... which means that today, no one says a word to them," he said, without actually naming any names in particular.

He put some of the inconsistency down to Britain's attitude to its former colony, which was to make Zimbabwe "its problem".

Annadif's remarks came after British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for tougher EU measures against Zimbabwe, describing the situation there as "appalling, disgraceful and utterly tragic".

The EU slapped sanctions, including travel bans and an arms embargo, on Mugabe's regime after controversial elections in 2002 won by the long-serving ruler, which the opposition insists were rigged.

The sanctions were extended last month until February 2008.

"We will press the EU to widen the political sanctions that were introduced in 2002 and introduced very much as a result of our prompting at the time," Blair told parliament.

"That assets freeze and travel ban we will seek to extend as far as we can."

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