French Communists clear way for government role

France's Communist Party reversed pro-Soviet positions on Afghanistan, Poland and European arms issues, and state-run television said Socialist President Francois Mitterrand would name four Communist ministers to his new government. It would be the first time Communists have taken part in the government of a major Western country since 1947 when the Communists were ousted from a French cabinet.

Government television quoted Elysee Palace sources as saying that four Commun ists, would be named to undisclosed ministerial posts.