Writers attack Zimbabwe omission

The US has placed new sanctions on people close to Mr Mugabe

A group of writers has criticised European and African leaders for not putting Zimbabwe and Darfur at the heart of an upcoming summit.
The writers, who include Vaclav Havel and Nadine Gordimer, said the two crises should be on the agenda of next weekend's EU-Africa summit in Portugal.

In an open letter, they called the omission "political cowardice".

Also, the US has announced new sanctions on Zimbabweans close to the country's President, Robert Mugabe.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, said the travel and financial sanctions were aimed at 40 people who were close to Mr Mugabe.

About six people are facing financial restrictions and US travel bans have been placed on another three dozen people.

"Given Mugabe's escalated use of violence, the United States will be imposing additional sanctions against the worst perpetrators of the regime's brutality," Ms Frazer said.

She said 2007 had been the worst year for human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.