Posted on 06/05/2014 12:06:56 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Stockman (R-TX 36) transmitted a letter to President Barack Obama Thursday asking if the Obama administration authorized any payment to the Haqqani Network terrorist group in exchange for U.S. Army Spc. Bowe Bergdahl.
The Haqqani Network, which held Bergdahl for five years, funds its terrorist activities in part by ransoming prisoners. The ransom for a uniformed American service member would greatly benefit the group’s terrorist activities.
“The Haqqani Network generally does not release Westerners unless they receive a large payment. It would be hard to believe they would release Bergdahl in an exchange that does not directly benefit them,” said Stockman.
“Americans deserve to know if the President paid off a terrorist group,” said Stockman.
Four of the five terrorist leaders Obama exchanged for Bergdaghl are Afghan Taliban, not Haqqani, according to Brad Thor. They also did not seek the release of a Haqqani commander in U.S. custody.
The Haqqani Network demanded ransoms for other high-profile captives, such as $5 million for Afghan diplomat Haji Khaliq Farahi and $15 million for New York Times journalist David Rohde. Farahi was freed for his ransom, while Rohde escaped before his ransom could be collected.
Their decision to hold Bergdahl themselves suggested to some terrorism experts the group was seeking a large payment for the American service member.
“The fact that Bergdahl remains in his (Haqqani commander Mullah Sangeen Zadran’s) custody and not in Miran Shah under Badruddin’s watch, suggests that Sangeen maintains considerable autonomy within the network and perhaps imagines he will directly earn a ransom payment in exchange for the American serviceman,” writes Gretchen Peters of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in “Haqqani Network Financing: The Evolution of an Industry.”
The text of the letter to the White House follows:
June 5, 2014
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Mr. President:
Your agreement to release five dangerous Taliban leaders in exchange for U.S. Army Spc. Bowe Bergdahl has caused many Americans to doubt whether you have been truthful with Congress.
The release of terrorists is not the only part of the agreement raising concerns about White House actions that may violate the law or place service members in jeopardy.
As you know, the Haqqani Network, which held Bergdahl, is known for financing their terrorist operations through ransoming hostages. The Haqqani Network generally will not release a prisoner unless they also receive a substantial cash payment.
“(Haqqani commander Mullah Sangeen Zadran) is believed to have orchestrated the kidnappings of Afghans and foreign nationals in his control zone, among them the captured U.S. soldier, Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl...The fact that Bergdahl remains in his custody and not in Miran Shah under Badruddin’s watch, suggests that Sangeen maintains considerable autonomy within the network and perhaps imagines he will directly earn a ransom payment in exchange for the American serviceman (emphasis added),” writes Gretchen Peters of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in “Haqqani Network Financing: The Evolution of an Industry.”
The Haqqani Network demanded ransoms for other high-profile captives, such as $5 million for Afghan diplomat Haji Khaliq Farahi and $15 million for New York Times journalist David Rohde. Farahi was freed for his ransom, while Rohde escaped before his ransom could be collected.
“It was also clear that Rohde’s captors were motivated by financial self-interest and a desire to secure the release of Taliban prisoners,” writes Peters. Bergdahl, a uniformed American service member, was an especially valuable asset to the Haqqani Network.
This has led to concerns the U.S. government, either directly or through a third party, agreed to cash payments as part of the Bergdahl exchange agreement.
I request full answers to the following questions:
1) Did Bergdahl’s captors, or anyone associated with his captivity, request renumeration in exchange for Berghdal?
2) Did you or anyone authorized by or associated with your Administration, authorize any form of compensation, direct or third party, in exchange for Bergdahl?
3) If you or anyone authorized by or associated with your Administration, authorized any form of compensation, direct or third party, in exchange for Bergdahl would you deny it?
4) Would you agree that cash payments to the Haqqani Network, by any party, assists the Network in carrying out violent and terrorist acts?
5) Would you agree that cash payments to the Haqqani Network, by any party, constitute material support to terrorists?
6) The late Michael Hastings, reporting for “Rolling Stone” in 2012, wrote, “’It (Bergdahl’s release) could be a huge win if Obama could bring him home,’ says a senior administration official familiar with the negotiations. ‘Especially in an election year, if it's handled properly.’” Was the Bergdahl exchange agreement discussed with or shared with anyone on the White House’s political staff? What was the date and nature of the communication?
I request written answers to these questions within seven days of the date of this letter.
Sincerely,
STEVE STOCKMAN
Member of Congress
Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee
So what if he did. He’ll only be punished for it if it came out of Mooches vacation fund.
Five of the worst Taliban terrorist commanders are right now roaming free in Qatar. [] The agreement was “very high level agreement” between the “head of the government of Qatar and the President of the United States”Was Libya about arming al qaeda in Syria?If there is a common interest shared by the head of Qatar and Obama, it’s [that] both leaders are invested in the removal of Al-Assad and a vacuum being filled by the rebels.
The lopsidedness of the deal – coupled with the fact that these prisoners are not even being jailed in Qatar upon their arrival – suggests that they will be human assets to Qatar if they are able to help with the fight in Syria. (emphasis added)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3163938/posts
Is this about installing al qaeda in Syria?
From Egypt to Libya to Syria, the radical muslim Obama is using the U.S. to topple governments and install the Muslim Brotherhood/Al Qaeda in their place.
It may be Stockman already knows obama paid out, and has proof, if the letter goes unanswered then Stockman can produce proof.
A bit of wishful thinking? One can hope!
Berry to Congress, request in one hand and sh*t in the other, see which one fills up first!
Maybe his probably afghani wife and kids qualify for the illegal alien dream act.
Then we can put the Afghan Pashtun tribe through college with full stipend and tuition at Hahvahd and Yale paid for by the US taxpayer.
Maybe his probable afghani wife and kids qualify for the illegal alien dream act.
Then we can put the Afghan Pashtun tribe through college with full stipend and tuition at Hahvahd and Yale paid for by the US taxpayer.
Anyone think that would finally sink the Kenyan?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.