An American soldier held for nearly half a decade in Afghanistan has been freed from Taliban captivity in exchange for the release of five Afghan detainees from the US prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, US officials said today.
US President Barack Obama announced that Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, held captive for nearly five years, has been released and thanked Qatar for this breakthrough while the Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel informed the Congress about the transfer of Gitmo detainees; a long pending demand of the Taliban.
The deal was brokered by the government of Qatar, which has agreed to host the five Taliban inmates in the Gulf emirate for at least one year.
"Today the American people are pleased that we will be able to welcome home Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, held captive for nearly five years. On behalf of the American people, I was honoured to call his parents to express our joy that they can expect his safe return, mindful of their courage and sacrifice throughout this ordeal," Obama said.
"For his assistance in helping to secure our soldier's return, I extend my deepest appreciation to the Amir of Qatar. ..The United States is also grateful for the support of the Government of Afghanistan throughout our efforts to secure Sergeant Bergdahl's release," said the US President.
Obama said this week the US renewed its commitment to the Afghan people and made clear that it will continue to support them as their chart their own future.
"While we are mindful of the challenges, it is our hope Sergeant Bergdahl's recovery could potentially open the door for broader discussions among Afghans about the future of their country by building confidence that it is possible for all sides to find common ground," Obama said.
Bergdahl, who was believed to be in the custody of the Haqqani network, a hard-line faction of the Taliban, was handed over peacefully to a team of Special Operations troops in an unspecified location in Afghanistan, US officials said.
The soldier went missing after walking off his base in June 2009. Hagel said Bergdahl is now under the care of the US military.
"We will give him all the support he needs to help him recover from this ordeal, and we are grateful that he will soon be reunited with his family," he said.
"Also today, I informed Congress of the decision to transfer five detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Qatar. The United States has coordinated closely with Qatar to ensure that security measures are in place and the national security of the United States will not be compromised," Hagel said.
Secretary of State John Kerry said he spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to brief him on this development.
"It is our ethos that we never leave a fallen comrade. Today we have back in our ranks the only remaining captured soldier from our conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Welcome home SGT Bowe Bergdahl," said General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
