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THE ONLY AMERICAN solider held prisoner in Afghanistan has been freed from Taliban captivity in exchange for the release of five Afghan detainees from the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Obama administration officials said today.
Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was handed over to US special forces by the Taliban this evening, local time, in an area of eastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistani border. Officials said the exchange was not violent and the 28-year-old Bergdahl was in good condition and able to walk.
In a statement, President Barack Obama said Bergdahl’s recovery “is a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield.”
The handover followed secret and indirect negotiations between the US and the Taliban, with the government of Qatar serving as the go-between. Qatar is taking custody of the five Afghan prisoners that had been held at Guantanamo Bay.
Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, had been held by the Taliban since June 30, 2009. The soldier was just 23 at the time. He is thought to have been captured by members of the Haqqani network, which operates in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region and has been one of the deadliest threats to US troops in the war.
The Haqqani network, which the State Department designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 2012, claims allegiance to the Afghan Taliban, yet operates with some degree of autonomy.
Officials said Bergdahl was expected to be transferred to Bagram Air Field, the main US base in Afghanistan, for medical evaluations, then on to the United States.
Several dozen US special operations forces flew into Afghanistan by helicopter and made the transfer with the approximately 18 Taliban members. The official said the commandos were on the ground for a short time, before lifting off with Bergdahl.
“We’ve been looking for you”
According to a senior defence official travelling with Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel in Singapore, once Bergdahl climbed onto the noisy helicopter he took a pen and wrote on a paper plate, the “SF?” — asking the troops if they were special operations forces.
They shouted back at him over the roar of the rotors: “Yes, we’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
Then, according to the official, Bergdahl broke down.
The official added that the US still believes that Bergdahl was being held for the bulk of the time in Pakistan, but it was not clear when he was transported to eastern Afghanistan.
The five Afghan prisoners from Guantanamo were still at the base as of this morning, but were being transferred into the custody of Qatari officials. Under the conditions of their release, the detainees will be banned from travelling outside of Qatar for at least one year.
Officials said Obama spoke with Bergdahl’s parents today, shortly after their son had been taken into US custody. Bergdahl’s family was in Washington on a previously scheduled visit when they received the news.
All the officials insisted on anonymity in order to discuss details of Bergdahl’s transfer.
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I love the language. The yank was a prisoner. The afghans were detainees
The Afghans are terrorists
I have no love for the Taliban Alex but there are a lot of people terrified by the yanks. A lot of dead civilians left in their wake too!
The Taliban are terrorists the Afghans are people from Afghanistan
The US forces invaded Afghanistan. They have murdered thousands of innocent Afghan civilians. Guantanamo is an illegal prison camp. So I think your US army are the terrorists.
Maybe, but the Taliban were terrorising the people of Afghanistan long before the Americans arrived
The Taliban were given a load of money from US before sept 11. Its funny how a freedom fighter becomes a terrorist.
So are the Americans ,You try and walk around Shannon airport with a side arm and see how long you last but American troops do it and not a Garda in sight.
Given money to fight the Russians in the 80′s, sure Rambo 3 has Sylvestor Stallone fighting alongside the Taliban
While I agrees GITMO should be closed you really think US marines enter Afghan with the sole purpose to “murder” ? The Terrorists aim to kill innocent civilians, 99% of marines don’t. I suppose the yanks and British murdered during the liberation of Europe? Casualties of war, however harsh that might sound. Man has been fighting each other since the dawn of time and will do until the end.
So the US invaded to help the Afghans Thomas? The Taliban are religious nutters and are about as bad as it gets. But is the US much better?
Not at all, they invaded to create an area where they can engage Islamic radicals instead of having them going to American to kill Americans they would go to Afghanistan to kill Americans, also Afghanistan was being used as a base by Islamic radical to train and launch attacks from.
@ Steve M Not “Murder” Herion and natural recources. Understand ?
Is it not near bed-time in the Urals Padraig?
What happened to “never negotiate with terrorists “
So by that rational British forces should have bombed Ireland because the IRA were trained and launch attacks from there.
The Taliban are the Afghan people . There not some sort of train terrorist organisation . They are just normal afghans from all parts of society .
@Denise that’s because they’re our allies.
This is the problem when you have a pretend neutrality policy in theory but a NATO-allied policy in fact. This fudge IMO is unacceptable, we need to have a proper debate on this and either start acting like a real neutral country, or join NATO, having one foot in either policy is just stupid, hypocritical and makes us look like fools on the international stage, or worse, as cagey two faced cute whoors who are trying to cover their bets.
Ridiculous comparison, the Taliban were in complete control of Afghanistan bar part of the north, if the IRA had been in control of Ireland to the same extent you can guarantee the Brits would have attacked.
That film was an embarrassment then and should never have been made.
The he biggest mistake Uncle Sam ever made was supporting the mujahideen against the Soviet backed government .
I remember a TV report of the hand over of weapons to the bearded nut jobs, the translator said- ‘Allah is instructing you to do this for us ,praise be to Allah’.
At the time the U.S. was blinded be the expansion of the Soviets and curtailing that, took priority .
Then Saddam invaded Kuwait and the rest is history.
The Taliban came about because the Afghan government was so corrupt that it was only interested in its own welfare . They completely neglected the Afghan people . The Taliban step in and fill the gap that the government should have been doing . They gave the people what they wanted . Every part of Afghan society was control by the Taliban . The local farmer was Taliban . The shopkeeper was Taliban . The local carpenter was Taliban . They where involve in every part of Afghan life and had more support then the Afghan government .
Afghanistan is not a invasion. It consisted of 43 countries serving under ISAF with the authorisation of the democratic elected government of Afghanistan. The ANA fight along side ISAF troops against the Taliban .
Ridiculous, everyone was Taliban? Nobody had a choice, shaving and listening to music was banned, executions took place ever other day for minor offences, people lived in absolute fear.
Thomas I didn’t say everyone was Taliban I said the Taliban was was made up of Afghan people from all parts of Afghan society .
They did Johner, May 17 1974, causing the most deaths and injuries in any single incident of the troubles. You probably don’t know about it because Bono can’t recite the names of any of e dead.
The Terrorists aim to kill innocent civilians,”
Freedom fighters aim to kill or get rid of anyone that invades their country .
—99% of marines don’t-
Are u serious ?? — anyway that is what they manage to do – they killed even babies waliking on their heads to crush their skulls .
some of their efforts are in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9fvR9l7ITE
”. I suppose the yanks and British murdered during the liberation of Europe?”
– Yes – they did – but the Nazis did the same – so neither were prosecuted at Nuremberg .
They decided not to prosecute for civilian bombing – so Harris et al got off – as did Von Braun – .
It was a dreadful compromise -.
The Nuremberg principles were vg – but many were not put into action .
Also please note that it was General Sherman in his famous march thro Georgia that was one of first to put forward the idea of attacking – and if necessary killing civilians – as they are the ones that keep troops supplied with food etc
The difference between the ira and the Taliban is the Taliban would come out and fight ISAF troops in a combat role . They would give there life s for there cause . No matter what you thought of them you had to respect them . The ira where just cowards . They would park a car bomb in the middle of belfast city center then go hind while there victims are blown to pieces .
Guantanamo is an illegal prison camp. So I think your US army are the terrorists.”
Yes – US army are Terrorists – and their State sponsored Terrorism is far worse than that of any other group – as the people of Iraq , Afghanistan and Libya can testify ..
Moreover Guantanamo was annexed from Cuba – and is illegally held by USA – not much talk about that in all the discussions about annexation .
Jim allies liberated countries . The nazi s invaded them . Afganistan was not a invasion as it was done with the permission of the Afghan government .
The British put the irish into slavery for centuries. Continued to murder and harasses incident irish citizens for centuries as well. The British government are the cowards, Ireland is only a 26 county republic based upon the ira not the British. The British government are the biggest cowards if were naming and shaming. Still no apology for the cowardly acts against the irish. Dublin / Monaghan bombings ? ( British involvement) cowardly act? How bout Bloody Sunday ?? Cowardly act???
Yeah rob how about bloody Friday . Look it up . 26 car bombs left it different locations in Belfast . 9 dead , 130 injure . Men , women and children . Nationalists and unionists , Bloody Sunday happen in the heat of the moment . Bloody Friday was deliberate plan murder of men , women and children . There’s no comparison between the two .
@ tommy w…,
That’s correct tommy, except for the fact that the when the Taliban got a little power drunk and started to pistol whip people in the streets for minor issues, extort money from families and actually execute people they believed were spies, the people saw different!
Lies lies
I think that the film is actually dedicated to the “good people of Afghanistan.”
@ Joe Kinnane – your quote should end “until it becomes apparent that they can’t be beaten.”
What a ridiculous comment whelan! ” in the heat of the moment” that’s one of the most callous, idiotic statements I have ever read on this forum! I sympathise with your ignorance and stupidity! Get someone with a brain cell to check your comment before you press the comment! Silly fool! Is it any wonder this country is mired in mediocrity!
Cathal stand on a riot line day after day while your petrol bomb and stone with nothing more then a plastic shield to protect yourself. When you have to act like a sponge to adsorb all the hate that is directed towards ya . Give it a go sometime you might actually learn why something like Bloody Sunday was capable of happen . I never said what happen on Bloody Sunday was right in anyway and nor would I ever but there is a reason why 14 innocent people die that day . It happens in every war and every conflict around the world where soldiers lose control and gives into there anger that completely overwhelms then .
And? Who the hell cares! How about you travel to Afghanistan and see how long you will live. See how far you get with free speech like here in Ireland or the United States.
I’m sure it won’t take long before a film is made about this
He left of his own free will and is now being charged with desertion
I must check and see when the next series of Homeland is due to be aired.
So much for the US not negotiating with terrorists.
It’s called a prisoner swap, it happens on a monthly basis in Afghanistan and happened in Iraq commonly enough also. The “negotiating with terrorists” applies more to terrorists taking people hostage in the United States itself or US civilians overseas. A prisoner swap is different, as you are exchanging one prisoner(s) for another – or 5 in this case.
He will be embraced by the Americans and treated as a hero, the Taliban lads will be tortured just to be sure they didn’t talk.
The Taliban lads aren’t being released, just changing one prison for another.
Didn’t he go AWOL ? He will be embraced in Leavenworth most like
Fair play to Sinn Fein for sorting this out. Saves Finian McGrath a trip.
“President Barack Obama said Bergdahl’s recovery “is a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield.”
I guess Benghazi didn’t matter to him or Hilary.
Not to be pedantic, but there were no men or woman in uniform in Benghazi, and it was a diplomatic outpost, not a battlefield. Big difference.
It is a touch pedantic alright, I’m just highlighting Obama’s lack of any morals or decency.
Please read carefully especially if you have children as I do : The CIA have made a fortune out of this war to the detriment of many families worldwide, Read :
http://www.minds.com/blog/view/247769192940441600/drug-war-american-troops-are-protecting-afghan-opium-us-occupation-leads-to-all-time-high-heroin-production
The UN had an agreement with the Taliban to decrease opium production and the farmers would be compensated for loss of revenue. Production was decreased to an all time level until the illegal invasion. The CIA need this money
The Golden Crescent Drug Trade
America’s covert war, namely its support to the Mujahideen “Freedom fighters” (aka Al Qaeda) was also geared towards the development of the Golden Crescent trade in opiates, which was used by US intelligence to fund the insurgency directed against the Soviets.1
Instated at the outset of the Soviet-Afghan war and protected by the CIA, the drug trade developed over the years into a highly lucrative multibillion undertaking. It was the cornerstone of America’s covert war in the 1980s. Today, under US-NATO military occupation, the drug trade generates cash earnings in Western markets in excess of $200 billion dollars a year. (See Michel Chossudovsky, America’s War on Terrorism, Global Research, Montreal, 2005, see also Michel Chossudovsky, Heroin is “Good for Your Health”: Occupation Forces support Afghan Narcotics Trade, Global Research,
My sympathy is with all decent tax paying American people who must pay for this nonsense and get nothing in return. Standard of living(Buying power)in USA for most people is much lower than in 1968
When does being so hateful towards a country become plain old bigotry?
@Jeremy
Bigotry ? While I have the highest respects for American people, this does not distract me from the fact that they have tortured and ( MURDERED)millions of innocent people worldwide’ I constantly fight for the rights of a minority of American individuals who are persecuted today because they want the USA to return to the democracy that it once was. Now it is sadly an oligargy
http://www.policymic.com/articles/87719/princeton-concludes-what-kind-of-government-america-really-has-and-it-s-not-a-democracy
And Russia isn’t Padraic?
Pauric is 100% correct Micky. Russia are ruled by a different type of elite but it’s not democratic either. The 1%, corporations and the military run the US.
Russia is today on the best path of changing its society from a Soviet mentality into a more progressive individualized society. Be Patient. US today is sadly going in the opposite directiom
n
Whaa ?
Well, if the US and Russia are ruled by the 1%, you’d rather live in the states and have 2 cars, a swimming pool, maybe a boat and a 50″ flat screen and earn $50k a year rather than live in freezing Russia with nothing but vodka and sharing a lada with your neighbours.
Homeland springs to mind, I wonder was he turned.
Your buddy Lenny Murphy would turn him I bet jamsie! Probably pull out a few teeth and fingernails! Protectors of the north- the shankill butchers!
He should be happy that I was not in the helicopter. If he handed me a piece of paper with ‘SF?’ written on it I might have thrown him out of the helicopter without thinking.
Whisstt you
Regardless of anything it must be a huge relief to their families.
What happened to “We will NOT negotiate with terrorists”
Great news. As a gesture of goodwill, the U.S should now release that American kid who recently got twenty years for being in possession of a spliff.
One lucky Fella!!
The taliban released him after they watched the Homeland Boxset
Poor guy will now be debriefed in the US and god only knows how long that will take.
Yes debriefed to see if he can help fix a location for a drone strike.
I read on the Internet that the American’s invaded Ireland and have sent all the leprechauns to Gitmo and stolen all of your four leaf clovers.
Jaysus…. When will this madness stop?
Homeland3
What I like to know is why is he still alive . There was a incident a few yrs back when a British soldier fell into the hands of the Taliban . His body was found a couple of days later .
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