The Turkish Prime Minister, Mesut Yilmaz, has criticised Germany for backing away from legal action against Abdullah Ocalan -- the Kurdish separatist leader, who's currently under house arrest in Rome.

Bonn issued an arrest warrant for Mr Ocalan but then -- when the Italians arrested him last month --declined to act on it for fear of provoking trouble between Turks and Kurds living inside Germany.

Mr Yilmaz said the German attitude was shameful and unworthy of a lawful state.

Meanwhile, a French judge, is reported to be seeking permission to question Mr Ocalan about alleged criminal activity by his party's supporters in France.