FORT HOOD, April 20: US President George W. Bush said on Sunday there were “positive signs” Syria was heeding US calls to deny sanctuary to fleeing members of Saddam Hussein’s administration.

“There’s some positive signs. They’re getting the message that they should not harbor Baath Party officials, high ranking Iraqi officials,” Bush told reporters after he attended Easter services at Fort Hood, where he was accompanied by two recently rescued US pilots held prisoner in Iraq.

Increased US pressure on Syria since the toppling of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by US-led forces has fueled speculation that Damascus could be the next target in Bush’s campaign against nations he accuses of aiding global terrorism.

Washington has accused Syria of harboring Saddam associates fleeing across the border, helping Iraq fight US forces, developing weapons of mass destruction, and aiding terrorism.

Syria denies the US allegations.

But on Sunday Bush held out for diplomacy, and said US Secretary of State Colin Powell would visit Syria for talks. “I’m confident the Syrian government has heard us and I believe it when they say they want to cooperate with us,” he said.

He again stopped short of declaring victory in the Iraq war, saying that would be up to his top military commander in the region, Gen. Tommy Franks.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Sunday a victory declaration could come within days.

But Bush said the end of Saddam’s rule had made the world “more peaceful,” and vowed to continue using US power to this end.

“The United States is a powerful country and one of the things we ought to do is use our power to make the world more peaceful and more free and I intend to continue to do that,” Bush said.

As he spoke, Bush was flanked by Army Chief Warrant Officers David Williams and Ronald Young, who returned to their home base on Saturday night following their rescue from captivity in Iraq.—Reuters