Greece has renewed its criticism of Turkey for its military

operations against Kurdish autonomists in northern Iraq, and

reiterated its support for the self-determination of the Kurds.

"Greece has systematically supported the right of the Kurds

to their national self-determination," government spokesman Dimitris

Reppas told reporters Saturday, in response to questions on the

arrest of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan in

Rome Thursday.

"We have repeatedly and in a more thorough manner than anyone

else raised, before international fora, the problem posed by the

crude violation of human rights in southeastern Turkey, as well as

the problem created by Turkey's military operations in northern

Iraq," he said.

"It is clear that Greece does not support violence as a means

of resolving political differences, and neither encourages nor covers

armed activities against other countries ... We respect international

treaties and legality. This position is the axis and the foundingg

stone of our policy," he added.

Ocalan's arrest and Turkish demands for his extradition has

drawn condemnation from Greek political parties.

The extradition of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan would be a

vindication of the murder of thousands of Kurds, of the intervention

of the Turkish armed forces in Iraqi Kurdistan, of the threats

against Syria, and of a series of other terrorist actions," said the

Communist Party (KKE) in a statement.