Powell may visit Mideast, will focus on peace process

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that he may soon visit the Middle East, including Syria, to push for Israeli-Palestinian peace and to press Damascus on its suspected weapons programs and support for Saddam Hussein's dying regime.

U.S. military and intelligence officials said that Syria was already showing signs of answering U.S. concerns about its support for the deposed Iraqi regime, NBC News web site reported Thursday. They said President Bashar Assad's government had ordered Iraqi diplomats to leave the country and had told other Iraqi diplomats not to seek refuge in Damascus.

The officials remained skeptical about Damascus’ intentions, however. "Let's see if they actually make good on the order," one of them said.

Powell's trip, which will include meetings with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk a-Shara, is likely to be timed to follow the release of a U.S.-backed peace "road map," once Palestinian prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas' (Abu Mazen) government is confirmed.

Powell said that once the road map has been released, the United States will be actively involved in the peace process. Among other things, this means the direct involvement of U.S. President George W. Bush, Powell said, and would include a visit by Bush to the region.

"There is not a specific trip on the books right now but we generally expect that he (Powell) will be going back to the region," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. "He would expect to travel to the region in the near future and as part of a trip like that he would expect to stop in Damascus."

Powell said that diplomacy must be given the opportunity to resolve the problems between the two countries, and indicated that there had been a high level of contact between Washington and Damascus in recent days.

Powell also reiterated a previous call by Washington for Syria to expel the members of Saddam's former regime that had made their way into its territory since the start of the Iraq war. He said that he did not want Syria to become a safe haven for these people.

Syria has been accused of smuggling military equipment into Iraq, allowing foreign Islamic fighters, including members of Hezbollah, to cross its borders, and providing aid and comfort to former associates of Saddam Hussein fleeing Baghdad.

Intelligence reports have suggested some Iraqi leaders have reached Syria. U.S. officials have identified only a few of those, including Farouk Hijazi, Iraq's ambassador to Tunisia and a former senior intelligence operative, and possibly Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's first wife, Sajida Khairallah Telfah.

"There might be some individuals who might be made available to us," said a State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Syrians have come under intense pressure from President George W. Bush's administration since reports surfaced that some Iraqis had crossed the Syrian border fleeing the U.S.-led war, and Syria may be preparing to quietly expel some members of the Iraqi government who have sought refuge inside its borders, U.S. officials said Thursday. Expulsions were not expected on Friday.

Powell said that if members of Saddam's government turn up in Syria, "We hope ... the Syrians will do the correct thing, the right thing, in our judgment, and return them back to Iraq so they can stand before justice administered by the Iraqi people."

He spoke on PBS television's "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

It was unclear what, if any, negotiations were under way among the United States, its allies and Syria, regarding the Iraqi leaders. Powell and Syrian officials have acknowledged the governments are in communication.

Syria has denied taking in any senior Iraqi officials, including specifically Hijazi.

Finding and questioning top members of Saddam's government remains a key American goal. They may have information on other Iraqi leaders, including Saddam and his sons, intelligence officials said. In addition, some leaders may have information on Iraq's alleged chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs. Already, two top scientists are being questioned by U.S. authorities, but it is unclear if they are providing any useful information.

Some security and intelligence operatives, including Hijazi, may also be able to detail any Iraqi links to terrorist groups. Hijazi went to Afghanistan in late 1998 and reportedly met with Osama bin Laden, officials said.

Damascus said Wednesday that it was holding 'quiet' talks with the United States on the issue of weapons of mass destruction.

"I think the diplomatic channels [with Washington] are much quieter and much more constructive than what the media presents," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Buthaina Shaaban said.

"The door is not closed. We are conducting discussions. The American ambassador is visiting our deputy [foreign] minister every two days - the dialogue is going on," she said.

The Syrian ambassador to the United States, Rostom al-Zoubi, welcomed the possibility of the US secretary of state undertaking a diplomatic mission to Damascus.

"It is good news and it's a good step in the right direction because direct dialogue between us and the United States is better than to accuse from a far distance," said Mr Zoubi, appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live" program.

	Colin Powell: The U.S. will become more involved in peace efforts. (AP)