EU monitor warns Zimbabwe on election

The head of the European Union's observer mission in Zimbabwe says the way the authorities conduct the general election later this month could have a profound effect on the country's relations with Europe.

Pierre Schori -- a former Swedish government minister -- said his two-hundred-strong mission would be deployed in urban and rural constituencies throughout the country in an effort to deter intimidation and create a suitable environment for the vote.

He was addressing his first news conference since arriving in Zimbabwe last week.

At least twenty-eight people -- most of them opposition activists -- have died in political violence since the government lost a refendum in February. An independent community health monitoring group has accused pro-government elements of continuing to target health workers and teachers.

The Zimbabwe Teachers' Association says at least two-hundred schools have been disrupted by attacks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service