Newly released Bergdahl in Germany for treatment after Taliban ordeal
- 10 years ago
After five years as a Taliban prisoner the newly released Bowe Bergdahl has been flown to a US military medical centre in Germany.
Sergeant Bergdahl was dramatically freed in exchange deal for five Taliban militants released from Guantanamo Bay.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel made a surprise visit to the giant Bagram military base outside Kabul.
“There were no shots fired, there was no violence, it went as well as we not only had expected and planned but as it could have,” Hagel said on the way to Bagram.
The Pentagon chief said he hoped the release would lead to new breakthroughs with the Taliban.
US President Barack Obama hailed the release in a brief appearance with Berhdahl’s parents at his side in the White House Rose Garden.
Bergdahl was the only known missing US soldier in the Afghan war launched after the September 11 attacks.
He is expected to transfer to another medical facility in San Antonio, Texas after his treatment in Germany.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Kabul, many residents felt uneasy about the release of five Taliban figures they say are dangerous.
One Kabul resident commented: “This will have a negative impact in our country at a time that Americans withdraw their forces. Then referring to the five freed Taliban insurgents he said Those people will rejoin the Taliban ranks.”
The Taliban denied the prisoners would return to battle and said the exchange won’t help the peace process because they don’t believe in the peace process.
Sergeant Bergdahl was dramatically freed in exchange deal for five Taliban militants released from Guantanamo Bay.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel made a surprise visit to the giant Bagram military base outside Kabul.
“There were no shots fired, there was no violence, it went as well as we not only had expected and planned but as it could have,” Hagel said on the way to Bagram.
The Pentagon chief said he hoped the release would lead to new breakthroughs with the Taliban.
US President Barack Obama hailed the release in a brief appearance with Berhdahl’s parents at his side in the White House Rose Garden.
Bergdahl was the only known missing US soldier in the Afghan war launched after the September 11 attacks.
He is expected to transfer to another medical facility in San Antonio, Texas after his treatment in Germany.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Kabul, many residents felt uneasy about the release of five Taliban figures they say are dangerous.
One Kabul resident commented: “This will have a negative impact in our country at a time that Americans withdraw their forces. Then referring to the five freed Taliban insurgents he said Those people will rejoin the Taliban ranks.”
The Taliban denied the prisoners would return to battle and said the exchange won’t help the peace process because they don’t believe in the peace process.