Not everyone celebrating Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s release
Jun 2, 2014, 11:54 AM | Updated: 12:07 pm
(AP Photo/U.S. Army, File)
A U.S. soldier held prisoner by the Taliban for five years is back in American hands, but not everyone is celebrating.
Since 2009, he’s been seen only in Taliban videos. But in an intense transfer in Eastern Afghanistan, U.S. special forces finally took custody of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban fighters who’ve been holding him for the last five years.
His parents were relieved and grateful. But some members of congress are upset with the price of Sgt. Bergdahl’s freedom: the release of five prisoners from Guantanamo, who were seen arriving in Qatar to receive the hugs and smiles of their relatives.
They were among 48 prisoners that the pentagon once labeled too dangerous to release, and CBS News National Security Analyst Juan Zarate says they will very likely reenter the fight, and even if they don’t:
“They present political and fundraising value for the Taliban, especially for the long term,” says Zarate.
And on CNN state of the union, representative Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee says the deal raises the value of Americans as hostages.
“You’ve sent a message to very al Qaeda group, by the way some who are holding U.S. hostages today, that there is some value now in that hostage, in a way that they didn’t have before.”
Moreover, there is a law that requires the White House to notify congress thirty days before releasing any prisoners from Guantanamo. That was not done. And there were other loose ends.
Including, a Rolling Stone magazine report that said before he went missing, Bergdahl had emailed his parents saying he was disillusioned with his mission. So no surprise a number of House committees are already making plans to launch investigations.