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| Dec. 8, 2010: This file image provided by IntelCenter shows a framegrab from a video released by the Taliban containing footage of a man believed to be Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, left. (AP) |
Relatives of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was captured by the
Taliban four years ago in Afghanistan, are “encouraged” by reports of an
offer to trade the Idaho soldier for five terror suspects being held at
Guantanamo Bay.
Col. Tim Marsano of the Idaho National Guard told FoxNews.com on
Thursday that Bob and Jani Bergdahl are aware of the development in
Qatar pertaining to their 27-year-old son, who was captured on June 30,
2009.
“They are aware of this most recent development in Qatar and the
possibility of talks starting that may include negotiations for the
release of their son,” Marsano said. “And they’re encouraged by this new
development.”
The Taliban's offer follows this week's official opening of a Taliban
political office in Doha, Qatar, where U.S. and Taliban representatives
and Afghanistan's High Peace Council are expected to hold peace talks.
Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, is the only known American soldier held
captive from the Afghan war. He disappeared from his base in
southeastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009, and is believed to be held in
Pakistan or Afghanistan.
Taliban spokesman Shaheen Suhail told The Associated Press from the
Doha office on Thursday that Bergdahl is in “good condition” to his
knowledge.
Suhail did not elaborate on Bergdahl's whereabouts. Among the five
prisoners the Taliban have consistently requested for release are
Khairullah Khairkhwa, a former Taliban governor of Herat, and Mullah
Mohammed Fazl, a former top Taliban military commander, both of whom
have been held for more than a decade.
Marsano declined to discuss details regarding the potential exchange,
saying his role was limited to speaking for Bergdahl’s parents, who no
longer wish to address the media.
Bergdahl's parents said they were encouraged by the news of the
Guantanamo prisoner swap after receiving a letter purportedly from their
son via the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“That letter provided them much relief and encouragement,” said
Marsano, who declined to elaborate on its contents. “They really hadn’t
heard any news on their son’s well-being for over two years.”
The potential prisoner exchange is the first item on the Taliban's
agenda before even opening peace talks, according to Suhail, who is a
top Taliban figure and served as first secretary at the Afghan Embassy
in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad before the Taliban government's
ouster in 2001.
"First has to be the release of detainees," Suhail said when asked
about Bergdahl. "Yes. It would be an exchange. Then step by step, we
want to build bridges of confidence to go forward."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected in Doha ahead of
Saturday's conference on the Syrian civil war. Kerry is also expected to
meet with the Taliban, but timing remains unclear.
Bergdahl’s father will ride his son’s motorcycle on Saturday in Idaho
during an event to remind the nation that the sergeant remains in
captivity. More than 500 participants and 2,000 attendees are expected,
the Twin Falls Times-News reports.
Bob Bergdahl will ride with five motorcyclists from the Illinois
Rolling Thunder, a POW/MIA nonprofit, as well as POW and MIA groups from
throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“The idea is for residents of Hailey and elsewhere to come together
and let the world know it’s time for Bowe to come home, to let him know
he’s not forgotten in his hometown or in Idaho,” said organizer Debby
O’Neill.
Sources :
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/20/relatives-encouraged-by-potential-swap-to-free-us-soldier-in-exchange-for/
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