ERDOGAN DEDICATES MASS HOUSING IN NEVSEHIR, URGUP
Premier Erdogan yesterday visited the central Anatolian city of Nevsehir to attend the grand opening of mass housing built by the Turkish Housing Development Administration (TOKI). Addressing crowds, Erdogan said Turkey is moving into a brighter future step by step. Touting his government's achievements during its rule, Erdogan called on people not to pay any heed to anti-modern mentalities, adding that he doesn't believe they will retreat from democracy, stability and reform. After attending a panel entitled, "Women in Our Society" at the Cappadocia Culture and Art Center, the premier also visited Urgup, and then returned to Ankara. /Hurriyet-Turkiye/

TURKEY TO TAKE COMMAND OF 3 UN PEACEKEEPING FORCES
Turkish troops are expected to take over command of three international peacekeeping forces in the coming months. First the Kabul Regional Commandership in Afghanistan will be handed over to Turkish command nest month. Then in May, Turkish troops will take over the Kosovo South Mission Force Commandership for 12 months. In addition to these two important posts, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is expected to succeed Germany in commanding the UN Marine Fleet deployed in Lebanon. /Turkiye/

ANTI-TERROR ENVOY BASER MEETS WITH US' RALSTON
US Special anti-terror Envoy Joseph Ralston, in Turkey for a brief visit, yesterday met in Istanbul with his Turkish counterpart Edip Baser to discuss the fight against terrorism. No statement was made after the meeting, and Ralston later returned to the US. /Sabah/

ISTANBUL TO HOST MEETING ON IRAQ
Ankara stated yesterday that the idea of organizing a meeting in Istanbul on Iraq's security has been accepted by the parties involved. Speaking to reporters, Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Bilman said that an initial meeting on Iraq will be held tomorrow in Baghdad, adding that it will be followed by a gathering of foreign ministers in Cairo. Turkey's special representative to Iraq Oguz Celikkol is expected to attend the technical meeting. Stressing that the Istanbul meeting would be the third held within this framework, Bilman said its exact date has not been set yet. However, he said that the United Nations' five permanent Security Council members and the G8 nations might participate. /The New Anatolian/

EU COMMISSIONER REHN PRAISES THE TSK'S CAPABILITIES AND PROFESSIONALISM
Speaking to journalists in Brussels yesterday, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn praised the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), saying that he respected the capabilities and professionalism of the Turkish army, whose mission is to protect the country and participate in peacekeeping operations. Asked if the TSK night seek to influence May's presidential election, Rehn said that he saw no reason for such interference. /Cumhuriyet/

GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER CALLS GUL'S UPCOMING ATHENS VISIT "HISTORIC"
Appearing on television yesterday, Greek Defense Minister Evangelos Meymarakis said that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's visit to Athens scheduled for March 28-29 would be "historic." He further stated that the visit would be no ordinary one. /Cumhuriyet/

AZERBAIJAN HOSTS TURKISH DIASPORA MEETING
The First World Azerbaijan and Turkish Diaspora Groups Officials Forum will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan today. Set to attend the gathering hosted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, State Minister Mehmet Aydin and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat. In addition, 450 other Turkish world representatives from countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, Russia, and Iraq are also invited to the meeting. The talks are expected to focus on developing strategic cooperation between Turkic-speaking communities and countries, and ways of promoting Turkish history and culture. Efforts against the Armenian allegations, the Karabakh and Cyprus issues, and the situation of Iraqi Turkmen will also be taken up at the meeting. A final declaration is expected to be released at the end of the gathering. /Turkiye-Cumhuriyet/

EU COMMISSION'S WALLSTROM ADDRESSES PANEL IN ISTANBUL
European Commission Vice President Margot Wallstroem yesterday attended a panel in Istanbul held to mark March 8, International Women's Day. Addressing the gathering, Wallstrom said that Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk considered women's freedom and equality preconditions for sweeping social change. She stressed that she hoped Turkish women would participate more in elections, adding that she favors a quota system. /Milliyet/

TUSIAD DELEGATION VISITS ARINC
A delegation from the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) led by the group's Chair Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag yesterday visited Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. During the meeting, asked if Arinc would run for president this May, Yalcindag declined to comment. For his part, Arinc said that the issue seems to have staying power, adding that he values TUSIAD's input. He further stressed that the TUSIAD delegation thought that the presidential election should be harmonious one. /Milliyet/