ERDOGAN: "WE DO POLITICS WITH THE PEOPLE, NOT THROUGH THE MEDIA"
Addressing thousands in a ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) campaign rally in the central Anatolian province of Aksaray, Prime Minister Erdogan yesterday continued to slam the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and some media outlets for what he called smear tactics in the runup to polls late next month. Again charging that opposition parties are avoiding holding campaign rallies, Erdogan called on them to meet with the people instead of using the media to spread smears about his party and the government. "You handed over your own opposition duties to the media," he added. "You do politics through some media outlets, but we do politics together with and within the people. We communicate to the people directly in meeting places." Rebuffing Dogan Media Group charges that the government is misusing its power to try to suppress the media, Erdogan said that some are using their own media power to enrich themselves and pressure the government to this end. This week the Finance Ministry fined Dogan TL 826 million for tax evasion and accounting irregularities. The ministry later issued a statement defending the fine, calling it fair and non-arbitrary. "Freedom of the press cannot be used as a means to spread smears and slander," said Erdogan. "Those who claim to defend freedom of the press are only defending their bosses. You cannot advance business interests by using freedom of the press as a tool." Erdogan also said that in past years some press organizations tried to paint themselves as fighters for press freedom. "But they were looking after their own interests," he said. /Sabah-Turkiye/

EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE RULES VISAS NOT NEEDED FROM TURKS ENTERING EU STATES TO PROVIDE SERVICES
The European Court of Justice yesterday ruled that visas should not be required from Turkish nationals planning to enter European Union member states to provide services. Two Turkish nationals in 2007 challenged Germany's visa requirement of Turkish truck drivers, arguing that this violated the Ankara Agreement between Turkey and the European Community. "Article 41(1) of the Additional Protocol," the court said in its ruling, "is to be interpreted as meaning that it precludes the introduction, as from the entry into force of that protocol, of a requirement that Turkish nationals such as the appellants in the main proceedings must have a visa to enter the territory of a Member State in order to provide services there on behalf of an undertaking established in Turkey, since, on that date, such a visa was not required." /Milliyet/

FM BABACAN VISITS BAHRAIN
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday traveled to Bahrain to hold separate meetings with its Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and his Bahraini counterpart Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa. Afterwards, Babacan said that they had discussed regional and international developments such as Gaza, and how to promote peace between Hamas and Israel. Calling the situation in Palestine "delicate," he added that failing to discuss problems in a broad framework is the main problem plaguing the current cease-fire between the two sides. Decrying the blockade on Gaza, Babacan branded it a "punishment" which should be ended as soon as possible. "We must have a permanent solution," he added./Star/

PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW MEASURES TO FIGHT ECONOMIC CRISIS
A new package of measures to cushion the impact of the global economic crisis was approved by Parliament yesterday. Aimed at easing the burden on companies and minimizing economic losses due to the crisis, the package introduces incentives for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tax cuts, especially in the Internet sector. Under the package, special payments, also known as short-time benefits, providing support from the unemployment fund for temporarily laid-off workers was increased to six months from three. Likewise, the amount of these benefits was raised 50 percent. With the package, the government expects to cut corporate taxes to encourage new investments and accelerate financial development, boost employment and minimize the development gap between Turkey's regions. The Cabinet will have the authority to cut the corporate tax by 5 percent for the next five years. In related news, Deputy Prime Minister Nazim Ekren said yesterday that a proposal to give one-time stimulus checks of TL 200-500 to working people to revive the domestic markets was being looked at, calling it a key measure to boost domestic demand at a time of crisis. Ekren also said that the government would soon announce measures to support the textile, tourism, automotive, maritime, iron and steel, and construction sectors. /Sabah/

BAYKAL CRITICIZES FINE ON DOGAN GROUP
In an interview with news channel NTV yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal responded to allegations of corruption regarding CHP official Mehmet Sevigen, saying that no action will be taken until and unless the allegations are proved. Baykal also criticized a tax evasion fine imposed on the Dogan Group this week, saying it was meant to muzzle the opposition. In related news, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday criticized the campaign rhetoric of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of elections late next month. /Milliyet-Hurriyet/

TURKISH BUSINESSMAN MEETS WITH ISRAEL'S PERES, LIVNI
Jak Kamhi, one of the most prominent Turkish businessmen of Jewish descent, reportedly visited Israel this week and was received by Israeli President Simon Peres and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. According to the website of Israeli daily Yedioth Ahranot, Livni said, "Some inappropriate comments were made about Turkey. Relations between Turkey and Israel are strategic, and it is important to restore them." The visit came on the heels of controversial remarks about Turkey by an Israeli general which were quickly disavowed by Israel, and tension over Israel's recent offensive in Gaza. /Cumhuriyet/

ACTOR OZCAN LAID TO REST
Prominent stage actor Gazanfer Ozcan, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 78, was laid to rest yesterday. After a memorial service at Istanbul's Haldun Taner Theater, his body was taken to Marmara University's Theology Faculty Mosque for noon prayers. Ozcan was then laid to rest at Karacaahmet Cemetery. /All papers/