U.S. appealing for restraint in Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Two senior U.S. officials promised Saturday they would convey to Iraq Turkey's unease over Kurdish rebels in the north, but they also expressed concern over the possibility of a Turkish military offensive in the region.

In Moscow, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged "a difficult time" in relations with Turkey. She appealed for restraint against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq and in Turkey's angry response to a genocide resolution in Congress.

Dan Fried, assistant secretary of state for European affairs, and Eric Edelman, undersecretary of defense for policy, met with Turkish officials in a bid to assuage anger over the resolution, which would label the World War I-era killing of Armenians by Turks a genocide.

Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations after a House committee's approval of the resolution last week and warned of serious repercussions if Congress passes the resolution.

The committee's approval raised concerns that Turkey may be less restrained about defying the United States.

U.S. officials said Friday there are about 60,000 Turkish troops massed along the country's southern border with Iraq. But the U.S. military has not seen activity to suggest an imminent offensive against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq who have been crossing the border to attack Turkish forces.

Turkey's parliament was expected to approve a government request to authorize an Iraq campaign as early as this week. The U.S. is concerned a Turkish incursion into northern Iraq would disrupt one of the country's few relatively stable areas.