European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged more international attention to Zimbabwe's urban demolition campaign Saturday, saying the fate of tens of thousands left homeless was a human rights matter of everyone's concern. Speaking after a meeting with South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, the EU's top official said he was disappointed with the African Union's decision Friday not to condemn the five-week demolition campaign in Zimbabwe, one of its members, because it was an «internal» matter, according to AP. Barroso told reporters he also raised the issue with Mbeki, who has consistently refused to condemn rights violations by Zimbabwe in favor of quiet diplomacy. The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen relations between the EU and South Africa, as well as with other African countries. They signed an agreement on trade, development and co-operation between South Africa and the European Community. Barroso is scheduled to travel Sunday to Mozambique and Monday to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
