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IntelCenter / AFP - Getty Images
This image taken from a Taliban video and provided by IntelCenter on December 7, 2010, appears to show U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl.
WASHINGTON -- The father of Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier held prisoner by the Taliban since 2009, is so frustrated that more than a year of covert diplomacy has been unable to free his son that he is learning the Pashto language so he can contact militants directly.
Speaking out about his son's case after a long silence, UPS worker Bob Bergdahl urged President Barack Obama's administration to push harder for his release.
The soldier's father added that he intends to take matters into his own hands, studying Pashto -- the language spoken in southern Afghanistan -- reaching out to regional experts and contacting the media-savvy Taliban through its website.
"I feel that I have to do my job as his father," he said. "I'm working toward a diplomatic and humanitarian solution."
Bob Berghdal said he and his wife Jani are disappointed their son, now 26, remains in danger after almost three years of captivity.
"We believe that Bowe's specific situation is not being addressed," Bergdahl told Reuters in an interview.
Peace talks suspended
The missing serviceman's fate is tied up in U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government, a high-level, high-risk diplomatic initiative which appeared to be on the cusp of a breakthrough before the Taliban suspended preliminary talks in March.
In a separate interview with the Idaho Mountain Express, Bob Bergdahl said there was "a dynamic here that has to change."
"Everybody is frustrated with how slowly the process has evolved," he added.
Report: Secret US program releases Afghan insurgents
Bob Bergdahl told the newspaper that swapping Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo for his son represents a "win-win" for the United States. He said in addition to his son's safe return, the United States could foster good will with the Afghan people.
Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, was stationed in Paktika province, a hotbed of militant activity, when he disappeared in unclear circumstances on June 30, 2009. He is believed to be held by the Haqqani network, an insurgent group affiliated with the Taliban, probably somewhere in Pakistan.
April 7, 2010: Rachel Maddow reports the breaking news of a video released by the Taliban which they claim is captured U.S. soldier Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl.
The family appears even more frustrated that prospects for progress seem to have dimmed in Washington, where the idea of negotiating with the shadowy militant group has exposed the White House to political attack in the run-up to the presidential elections.
For months, U.S. negotiators were seeking to arrange the transfer of five Taliban detainees held at Guantanamo Bay military prison to the Gulf state of Qatar. The transfer was intended as one of a series of confidence-building measures designed to open the door to political talks between the Taliban and Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government.
US offers 'safe passage' to Afghan Taliban leaders
That move -- at the center of U.S. strategy for ending the long, costly conflict in Afghanistan -- was also supposed to lead directly to Bowe's release. The Taliban has consistently called for the United States to release those held at Guantanamo Bay in exchange for freeing Western prisoners.
Dec. 25, 2009: The family of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl pleaded for the release of their son after the Taliban released a video of the infantryman in captivity. CNBC's Carl Quintanilla reports.
The Guantanamo transfer proposal, which would have required notification to Congress, ground to a halt when the Taliban rejected U.S. conditions designed to ensure transferred Taliban would not slip away and re-emerge as military leaders.
While most American officials do not expect that proposal to be taken up again in earnest in the months leading up to the Nov. 6 presidential election, they are exploring alternative steps they hope might rekindle the process.
The prospect of a quick start to peace talks grows more unlikely just as questions mount about what the West, after over 10 years of war in Afghanistan, will be able to accomplish before NATO withdraws most of its troops at the end of 2014.
From the start, the Guantanamo transfer plan drew fire from politicians on Capitol Hill who, according to U.S. law, would have had to closely examine the proposal. The criticism came not just from leading Republicans, but also from some Democrats.
Dec. 26, 2009: A new video of Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl has just been released, and as KTVB's Scott Evans reports, residents in the soldier's hometown of Hailey, Idaho, are 'trying to stay positive."
The Bergdahl family said it believes the opposition may have been too intense at a time when the administration is seeking to burnish Obama's national security credentials. "It doesn't seem like dialogue is even allowed" by Congress, Bergdahl said.
Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, also has rejected the proposed transfer. "We do not negotiate with terrorists," he said in December.
'Too much risk'
The imprisonment of suspected militants at Guantanamo is an irritant in U.S. relations with Muslim nations including Afghanistan, which has long demanded the release of its citizens held since shortly after the U.S. invasion that toppled the Taliban government in Kabul in 2001.
Bob Bergdahl said he does not advocate an attempt to rescue his son by force.
"That's too much risk, for too many people," said Bergdahl, who described Bowe as a "soft-spoken," "compassionate" young man who, as a home-schooled youth, was a skilled outdoorsman drawn to martial arts and biking.
A senior U.S. military official told The Associated Press that the Pentagon believes Bergdahl to be alive and in relatively good health. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because efforts to free Bergdahl remain sensitive.
A senior Obama administration official, also speaking on condition of anonymity because of concerns for Bergdahl's safety, told reporters that the case has been a topic at each of several direct meetings that U.S. officials have held with the Taliban. Direct contact, once taboo for the United States, began in secret last year in hopes that the channel could speed larger peace talks with the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai and ultimately end the long Taliban insurgency.
The official said the U.S. hopes to revive the Bergdahl deal with the Taliban.
July 19, 2009: The kidnapped man, 23-year-old Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl of Ketchum, Idaho, appears in a 28-minute video, telling his captors, "I'm scared." NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
Marine Col. David Lapan, spokesman for Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that the military has a "collaborative" relationship with Bergdahl's family, which is given quarterly updates from Washington. He said the family is not advised on whether to discuss the case with the news media.
"Our message to them is: We are working hard to obtain Sgt. Bergdahl's release, to bring him back into U.S. hands," Lapan said.
Asked about the family's complaint that the U.S. government has not done enough, Lapan said: "It's perfectly understandable that parents whose son has been kept in captivity for several years now are frustrated. We certainly understand that. That's why we do everything thing we can to try to keep them updated, to the extent we can."
He added: "If they are angry and/or frustrated, that is certainly understandable. I would say that our leaders are frustrated as well."
The last time the Bergdahls saw their son was the Christmas holiday of 2008, when he came home from his military service just months before shipping out to Afghanistan.
To solicit support for further action, Bob Bergdahl plans to speak at an annual demonstration to recognize prisoners of war over Memorial Day weekend in Washington. The event, organized by the nonprofit POW support group Rolling Thunder, typically attracts more than 100,000 motorcyclists to the nation's capital.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
i know that there is alot of black&white service men. why is it that the soldiers that get hurt are always white? a nurse is not a soldier, a truck driver is not a soldier, people loading planes is not a soldier... when you go to a hospital it is caucasions that have lost their legs, been shot, or just plain killed. i feel that if you are in the u.s. service and going to get benefits, don't be full of @!$%# like obama and be a soldier.
Only about 15% of the military is African American. Of those, how many are in positions to become injured due to hostile action? This is why you see a majority of injured Caucasian. Soldier is typically used as a generic term.
Department of the Army: All are referred to as Soldiers
Department of the Navy: All are referred to as Sailors or Marines
Department of the Air-force: All are referred to as Airmen
I think you might have gotten your terms confused....Halo-Jumper put it well.
I see your point, I think, but the reason might be a little less sinister..
he is acting like a father and as a father who's Son has been there 3 times I understand completely
he is acting like a father and as a father who's Son has been there 3 times I understand completely
Even though it may be foolish I would probably do the same if it were my kid. That being said, I have discouraged my kids from going into the military. While I think highly of the soldiers that put their lives on the line, I don't think highly of the people that run the show which are the politicians. They could care less that your kid is killed over in some sandpit nation and don't care if they put them in harms way.
@Chris, Its good to see someone who can show respect for our military even if they wish their children not to join. Alot of people who think like you result to bashing America and the military and I dont understand why. If you dont want your kids in, fine but why de-value others who do join
JohnnyAASpades my father fought in Korea and was a Ranger. He got out a Colonel after 26 years. I am proud of what he did for this country and is a big part of why I am respectful to the men and women that choose to go into the military.
True, all the men in my family are either military or in politics. Which is why I guess I understand both sides of a lot of issues. I was raised without my father and my mother always told me that even thou, her and my dad could not get along it was men like him who gave us the freedoms we have.
I am not naive enough to say the world is perfect, in fact I am prolly more of a consiparcy theorist when it come to that but I do recognize the, at least superficial, benefits of our Hero's...
You dont fight wars becasue you know you can win....You fight them becaues you have too much to lose
-me, just now...lol
@ Chris...Ever heard your father sing this jody...
"i hear them choppas comin..."
"they comin over head...."
"they came to take the wounded..."
""they came to take the dead..."
"Airbourne...shoot shoot shoot that son of a woooo!!"
"Rangerssss...lead the way!"
Dealing with the most dishonest, untrustworthy and criminal people on the face of the earth and not getting anywhere??????
Hell, that covers both the Taliban and the Obama administration.
It would be nice if he gets his son back, those people are complete animals. The most pointless thing we can do is , help them train them, trust them or try and rely on them to stop sending suicide bombers to our shores.
The only way to make Afghanistan a better place is to empty it if these animals and repopulate it with rats, cockroaches or snakes.
Not trying to start a argument but I wonder..what do you think makes them the most dishonest, untrustworty and criminal people on the face of the earth?
What I mean is, is the culture that way, or is this a response to a external stimulus?
I hope that question made any sence lol
My Thoughts and Prayers are with this USA prisoner and his LOVING DAD !
When it is your child you'd DO ALL YOU COULD !
Until today I did not know this young man's name or anything about his situation. I keep up. I follow the news. I'm a former Marine who likes being in the know, never have been, but sure would like to be. I know over the last three years I have watched an incredible amount of mindless blather on CNN, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, all of them, covering stupid @!$%#ing stories with hardly any meaning at all. Paris @!$%#ing Hilton. Charlie @!$%#ing Sheen. Octo @!$%#ing mom. Ryan @!$%#ing Seacrest. Real @!$%#ing houswives. Simon @!$%#ing Cowwel. On, and on, and on, and on, with a bunch of mindless horse @!$%# about people who suck, and then there's Bowe Bergdhal. A name that doesn't matter cause it's not flashly, or wealthy, or fabulous, or famous, it's just another name. Well, @!$%# that! Bowe deserves to have his name plastered on every billboard from New York to San Fran. He deserves a spot on every news show until he has been freed. Bowe deserves a lot of things that America doesn't give a @!$%# to give him. We have left it to his father. What a terrible shame. What a terrible story.
if this GI threw down his weapon and walked off guard duty, then he deserves life as he now knows it, and we do not negotiate with terrorist. Let the benedict arnold lie. Enough said
Yea, maybe if they kill him they'll have enough respect to not throw his body into a trash pit, like we've done to our fallen warriors in Virgina. Benedict Arnold? Are you kidding me? Arnold's actions could have destroyed a nation, Bowe Bergdhal is just a scared, confused kid far away from home and staring at the reaper every second. Benjamin Franklin was right, the national bird should have been a Turkey and then you would be Turkette, and possibly far less mean and heartless like a damn Eagle.
I'm down for this man go get your son.
My own grandson recently completed basic training and to witness all the people here with negative unrelated comments is more than I can take. The article is about a father's frustration and his undying love for his son. It has nothing to do with Romney, or any otherbiased opinion here. Please have some respect for this man's dignity and his compassion and stick to the point.
Perfect comment...I hope it is heard
The line "we don't negotiate with terrorist" is nice, but if this were my son or daughter I would do anything and everything to get them back.
I wish the man all the luck in the world, however, I don't blame the US Government here (Though, it's very easy to blame them for a great many things). The US's policy of not negotiating with terrorists is quite old, and well-reported. Doing so only opens the flood-gate for more extortion.
I only hope he doesn't end up a 'guest' of the Taliban as well. Well, that and that he finds a way to free his son.
Politicians and politics once again trump american servicemans safety and well being. You can bet your life if it was Obama's son or other high ranking politicians son they would be home in a heartbeat. NO MATTER WHAT THE cost. oBAMA IS OUT HERE ON THE COAST RAISING 15 million dollars for his reelection. He does not give a rats ass about the american people only what can they do for me.
Let me clarify, just so I dont have another peson mis-understand me.
My political beliefs about the war is not in question here.
My feelings on wether or not we should be in some of these countries to begin with and my feelings on if and when we should be pulled out are two different matters.
They dont really matter to this article, except when I am having a conversation with someone specifically so if anyone thinks that I am tying my political views in on wether or not this man should be brought home, I am not quite sure you can make that connection
Let me know if that makes sence, I just dont want to get dragged into another debate about the American Governement and its history. American history is sort of boring to me, it is merely a repeat of the history of every other major nation that has existed.
Our military and their loves ones know the government policy in situations like this. Sadly I think they do have it right because if we back down once we'll be expected to back down again and again and again. That doesn't mean a plan of action can't be put in motion if and when his location is known.
No Soldier Left Behind....
This is just another instance that proves we have NOTHING in common with these terrorists! We should NOT even think of negotiating with them, we should just go in and blow them all up and retrieve OUR soldier/s.. The Taliban are TERRORISTS, they do not negotiate, they want us to THINK they do, make us think they want peace.. They do NOT.. They would blow us ALL up without a second's thought, not just the USA but ALL societies that do not think the way they do! You CANNOT deal with terrorists, period!
Hmmm, I believe that their are other societies in the world with similar views as the "terriorist"
It is very difficult to deal with people (those who do) who are willing to blow themselves up..its like fighting in the school yard in front of all your friends, a kid who likes to punch himself ..lol ya know?
Trying to reason with someone who has a totally different view on life than you is extremely hard.
Johnny asspade, get over it, leave it alone & get a life bro... you just keeping going, On, and on and on, Let it go! Just drop it...
God bless the Bergdahls for what they're going through. The circumstances leading to the soldier's kidnapping are irrelevant at this point. While I'm not necessarily in favor of negotiating with the slimy little terrorists, I do believe that something decisive should be done to get this guy out of there, after three years! I know if this were myself my parents would be beside themselves, and Mr. Bergdahl should be taken seriously as I imagine every day is a living hell for him. It's bad enough when your children, relatives, and friends are over there to begin with...
Well hate to say it but if this were my child i would not even give the corrupt politicians a single chance to to free my son. I would take matters in my own hand and go over and try to save him threw the only means they would understand. Death and destruction this is the only language they understand.
Bad things happen when you go sauntering off-base in Taliban infested areas.
Or go hiking into North Korea. Of course in this case the young soldier is white and not connected to the Gore team. So I guess Hollywood won't donate a plane and send Billy to go get him.
The CiC is too busy campaigning and repatriating captured Taliban to Afghanistan to care about one of our soldiers being held prisoner. Maybe if Mr. Bergdahl could raise 500k for obama's vote stuffing/re-elction campaign the Great One would do something. No campaign contribution ... no help. Its the Chicago way!
Didn't know there was so many that love treason. He took off his armor, laid down his weapon grabbed a waterbottle, knife and compass walked off guard duty abandoned his brothers to join the Taliban. The Taliban then turned him into a bargaining chip. If he does manage to survive he can say hello to life in the brig, here's hoping we don't release terrorists for a traitor.
I think maybe it's time to send Jesse Jackson to Afghanistan. He got 3 American pilots released from Kosovo when Clinton was president, and he got an American pilot released from Syria when Reagan was president. One of the reasons a private citizen can do more than our government is because the American government is hated throughout most of the world.
If this is the same GI that walked away from his post, then he got what he deserves and we as taxpayers should not have to pay the bill to get him returned or out of the country. He betrayed his oath as a military member and knowing he was in a hostile environment what was he thinking, as a retired mil. Let him stay where he is at, we don't need cowards in the military. he gives all branches of the military a bad name
That video still looks like a 1957 photo of Fidel Castro.
It's a very sad situation, but I think the father is fooling himself if he thinks Al-Queda: a) will actually negotiate with him, and b) if they did negotiate they would honor any agreement. Sadly this brave soldier is viewed by the Muslims as an infidel Crusader and for all practical purposes he's already 'dead'.
That said, if this soldier was Black then Jesse Jerkson would been flown over there on Bill Clinton's private jet and got him released years ago!
So, everyone attacks each other and the governments. How typical of humans to act as though we have all the answers. There is no right or wrong, black or white. Politics and war are conditional constructs. For this young man to be freed, the proper environment has to be created that allows the "enemy" to think they have gained an advantage, and the other party has to be able to save face.
Blaming Presidents Bush and Obama serve no more purpose than school children calling each other names. The American people blame everyone but themselves, but the truth is,we are to blame. We have allowed politicians to gain power without us calling them out on their positions that affect us all. To say "we don't negotiate with terrorists" is an American issue because we allowed this. All that our politicians do and allow to be done are done in our names because we voted them in. This is why a "terrorist" will attack any one or thing, because; like it or not, we are complicit in everything our government does. So stop crying and complaining like babies and act like adults with brains.
Right or wrong, at least the father is doing something, rather than allow the "experts" who have allowed us to fall into economic ruin, and put us into multiple wars and "police" actions and those are only the things we know of.
I am an American, and proud of it!! Lets stand with the father, and all who try to do the right thing. God save us ALL!!!!!