PM-Papariga clash on foreign policy

Athens (ANA-MPA) -- Prime minister George Papandreou and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga clashed in parliament on Friday over the government's policy vis-a-vis Turkey, with Papariga charging that the KKE has no confidence in the government's policy and the premier accusing her of slander.

The clash came during a discussion, during the "Hour of the Prime Minister", of a current question tabled by Papariga, addressed to the premier, concerning his recent visit to Erzurum, Turkey and government policy on Greek-Turkish relations.

Papandreou called the KKE leader a "common slanderer", accusing her of "adopting conspiracy theories and harmful speculation" and of "having become the best propagandist of the most extreme Kemalist general of the deep state in Turkey".

He denied charges of secret diplomacy with Turkey, explaining that he believes in building a sincere relationship with the neighboring country.

Papariga said that the KKE has no confidence in the foreign policy being followed by the PASOK government.