WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is being treated and evaluated at a U.S. military hospital in Germany today, amid continued questions back home about the swap that resulted in his freedom following five years in the hands of the Taliban.
In exchange, five detainees were freed from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay.
The White House today is describing the exchange as “absolutely the right thing to do.” But critics are wondering whether the freed prisoners will find their way back to the fight — and whether other Americans are now at risk of being captured and held.
Afghan officials are among those raising concerns about the prisoner exchange. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry says the swap was “against the norms of international law” if it came against the wishes of the five Taliban detainees who were held at Guantanamo. They were flown to Qatar (GUH’-tuhr), where they are supposed to be prevented from leaving for at least a year.
Meanwhile, the hospital where he’s being treated says Bergdahl is in “stable condition” and that his treatment includes “attention to dietary and nutrition needs.” It says there’s no timetable set for his treatment and release.
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207-a-17-(Jay Carney, White House press secretary, at news conference)-“in the past”-White House press secretary Jay Carney says Congress should not have been surprised by the move to free Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. (2 Jun 2014)
< 211-a-16-(Lucy Morgan Edwards, author, researcher, Afghanistan expert, in interview)-“particularly pleasant characters”-Lucy Morgan Edwards, an Afghanistan expert, says the Afghan government is upset because it wasn’t consulted or even told about the pending exchange. COURTESY: Sky News ((mandatory on-air credit)) ((note length)) (2 Jun 2014) < APPHOTO IDOK107: Jani and Bob Bergdahl speak to the media during a news conference at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, on Sunday, June 1, 2014, regarding their son, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. Sgt. Bergdahl can expect a buoyant homecoming after five years in Taliban hands, but those in the government who worked for his release face mounting questions over the prisoner swap that won his freedom. (AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger) (1 Jun 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.