I am the one in charge, I do whatever I want!

The real head of the state, chief of general staff İlker Başbuğ recently visited the USA. The president and prime ministers of Turkey were just starting to send positive messages about peace, Gen. Başbuğ reminded them who is the man in charge. In response to PKK's ceasefire extension, the general said he doesn't care who says what, he is determined to seek, find, and destroy the PKK fighters. Right after the supreme general spoke, Prime Minister Erdoğan made a 180 turn and said "the PKK should lay down arms unconditionally" and ignored DTP's meeting request.

The government and it's politicians are used to being told by the generals what they should do and how they should act. The generals rule. Prime Minister Erdoğan was interrogated by Gen. Başbuğ back in 2004. This wasn't the only time the generals obedience-trained Erdoğan. Similarly, in 2006 Erdoğan was told by the supreme generals exactly how he should be acting and what he should be doing.

Here is the partial translation of Gen. Başbuğ's interview:

[...]
It is mentioned that based on PKK's ceasefire, the weapons must be silenced. There are also some that say TSK should stop the operations. For example, when TSK units come across PKK elements can TSK pretend they haven't seen them [PKK Guerillas]?

Nobody should give us advice on this matter. Neither I will stop nor will I wait for terrorists to come. On the contrary, I will go, seek, find, and destroy [The PKK]. [...]

[...]

Murat Karayılan's words were discussed a lot. What do you think?

I don't care. A terrotist and his words cannot define the process in Turkey. We are not going to take his [Murat Karayılan's] words into account. We focus on our work to finish terrorism.

[...]

Message to Barzani

Can there be an operation jointly conducted with Barzani and Talabani forces against PKK in North Iraq [South Kurdistan]? What do you say about North Iraq's oil flowing through Turkey?

If they are really friends and they want this organization to finish for their own safety as well they should be the first to conduct operations. Capacity of Kerkûk-Yumurtalık pipeline must be increased. In addition there can be a gas pipeline running in parallel to this pipeline.

The supreme general was in the USA, he was given his game plan. He is happy, the gun salesmen are happy. Everyone will get fatter on Kurdish blood.