U.S. scrambles to defuse Kurd crisis

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. diplomats were engaged in an all-out effort Monday to defuse the growing crisis between Turkey and Kurdish separatists in Iraq.

Turkey has been building up its forces along the border for a potential incursion into Iraq to crush rebels blamed for repeated raids into Turkey.

Voice of America reported Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made repeated telephone appeals for cooperation between Ankara and Iraqi authorities. A spokesman said Rice personally urged Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold off on any military action for a few days to give the diplomats more time to come up with a solution.