Euro MPs support SA's approach

The European Parliament, deeply concerned about the crisis in Zimbabwe, believes that South Africa has taken the correct approach in trying to help its neighbour, IOL's news website reported on Friday. "We expect that in its (South Africa's) contacts with Zimbabwe, a solution will be found," said Euro MP Miet Smet of Belgium. "Any deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe will lead to more and more illegal immigration into South Africa, and aggravate the unemployment problem." Smet is leading a delegation of 12 Euro MPs who are on a week-long visit to South Africa, meeting a range of senior government and political leaders. The European Parliament supported South Africa's efforts to co-operate with Zimbabwe in finding a solution to the crisis. Smet said the parliament appreciated that South Africa was doing all it could to resolve the situation, even though some people believed that Pretoria's efforts were not enough. The delegation's support for the approach taken by President Thabo Mbeki's government follows continuing criticism of Mbeki's "quiet diplomacy". It echoes concerns about the negative spin-off for South Africa as the meltdown in Zimbabwe worsens. This week, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, fresh from meeting his Zimbabwean counterpart, sought to disassociate the situations in the two countries.