“Iraq now has a central government. The central government has responsibilities. They should not harbor terrorists on their own soil.” These words by Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Baþbuð in an interview published yesterday sparked high controversy.

But the Chief of General Staff added that deputies from the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) should go and join the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party). Immediate the response by BDP co-chair, Selahattin Demirtaþ who at his party parliamentary meeting, called for the Chief of General Staff to resign.

“Northern Iraq is a safe haven for the terrorist organization. There’s also logistical support. How are [PKK members] getting their food? They’re getting it from that area,” Baþbuð said. The interview was given to Uður Dündar on private Star TV.

“Talking to deputies as if he can give them orders is overstepping boundaries. This is not a military post, and we are not your soldiers,” BDP leader Selahattin Demirtaþ said at his parliamentary group meeting Tuesday. “[Baþbuð] must either retire, or the prime minister should dismiss him from his post.”

Saying that the top general is in a position that requires him to bring the terrorists down from the mountains, Demirtaþ said: “Instead of giving us orders, you should explain yourself to the public. Why can’t you protect these young people?”