When the U.S. Army swapped five captured Taliban commanders in exchange for captured U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl in May, the deal ignited a political firestorm. Well, the latest revelations in today’s Washington Times may have poured some gasoline on it.
The Times’ Bill Gertz is reporting that the Pentagon not only swapped captured enemy commanders, but they also offered a ransom to the Taliban for Bergdahl’s release.
“The ransom payment was first disclosed by Rep. Duncan Hunter in a Nov. 5 letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Mr. Hunter stated in the letter that Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) made the payment covertly as part of a release deal. But the money was stolen by the Afghan intermediary claiming to represent the Haqqani terrorist network.
‘Given the significance of this matter, as well as the fact that Pentagon officials have denied that a payment was even considered — and you also said you were unaware of any such attempt — I ask you to immediately inquire with JSOC to determine the specific order of events,’ said Mr. Hunter, California Republican and member of the House Armed Services Committee.”
A poll in August showed that nearly two-thirds of Americans do not believe the U.S. government should pay ransom to terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages.
In fact, many experts believe that paying ransoms will only encourage more kidnappings and other acts of terrorism. Not to mention that this money goes to fund the operations of terrorist organizations.
So, the Obama administration was prepared to give money to terrorists for a captured U.S. soldier. This puts other soldiers serving in Afghanistan at greater risk for capture, and if the money had reached the terrorists, it would’ve helped them improve their operational capability against U.S. forces.
Yet another case Americans paying for poor judgement by the Obama administration when it comes to fighting terrorism.
From ijreview...
The Times’ Bill Gertz is reporting that the Pentagon not only swapped captured enemy commanders, but they also offered a ransom to the Taliban for Bergdahl’s release.
“The ransom payment was first disclosed by Rep. Duncan Hunter in a Nov. 5 letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Mr. Hunter stated in the letter that Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) made the payment covertly as part of a release deal. But the money was stolen by the Afghan intermediary claiming to represent the Haqqani terrorist network.
‘Given the significance of this matter, as well as the fact that Pentagon officials have denied that a payment was even considered — and you also said you were unaware of any such attempt — I ask you to immediately inquire with JSOC to determine the specific order of events,’ said Mr. Hunter, California Republican and member of the House Armed Services Committee.”
A poll in August showed that nearly two-thirds of Americans do not believe the U.S. government should pay ransom to terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages.
In fact, many experts believe that paying ransoms will only encourage more kidnappings and other acts of terrorism. Not to mention that this money goes to fund the operations of terrorist organizations.
So, the Obama administration was prepared to give money to terrorists for a captured U.S. soldier. This puts other soldiers serving in Afghanistan at greater risk for capture, and if the money had reached the terrorists, it would’ve helped them improve their operational capability against U.S. forces.
Yet another case Americans paying for poor judgement by the Obama administration when it comes to fighting terrorism.
From ijreview...
Posted 10 y ago
This is a duplicate discussion. Click below to see more on this topic.
If what the article states is true, do you see this as a case of "Do as I say, not as I do" on the part of the United States?
I do find it hypocritical to "preach" no payments to terrorists and then - again, assuming what the article reports is true - to pay a ransom in an attempt to gain the release of SGT Bergdahl.
What do you think? Here's the article:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/19/inside-the-ring-ransom-paid-for-bergdahl/
I do find it hypocritical to "preach" no payments to terrorists and then - again, assuming what the article reports is true - to pay a ransom in an attempt to gain the release of SGT Bergdahl.
What do you think? Here's the article:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/19/inside-the-ring-ransom-paid-for-bergdahl/
Responses: 1
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google