New York Times reporter escapes Taliban captivity

A New York Times reporter known for making investigative trips deep inside dangerous conflict zones escaped from militant captors after more than seven months in captivity by climbing over a wall, the newspaper said Saturday.

David S. Rohde was abducted Nov. 10 along with an Afghan reporter colleague and a driver south of the Afghan capital, Kabul. He had been traveling through Logar province to interview a Taliban commander, but was apparently intercepted and taken by other militants on the way.

The Times reported that Rohde and Afghan reporter Tahi Ludin on Friday climbed over the wall of a compound where they were held captive in the North Waziristan region of Pakistan.

The two then found a Pakistani army scout, who led them to a nearby base, the Times said. On Saturday, the two were flown to the U.S. military base in Bagram, the Times reported....

The article explains that he's been held captive since Bush was president but that it was decided not to go public with the story. I suspect that they were nervous about another Daniel Pearl situation. This guy apparently knew that his editors wouldn't have allowed him to go where he went.

He even looks similiar.

New York Times reporter escapes Taliban captivity

oh ... baloney. A NY Slimes 'reporter' held 'captive'. No way.

He was prolly staying in a Hotel when not training as a Taliban spy. He was also prolly given a Taliban issue Pulitzer Prize for being an American Traitor.

Don't let him back in the US. Send him to Gitmo and water board the sheet out of him.

The NYT's 'sat' on this story until full safety assured to these men who escaped. . .

Amazing decision; IMHO. . .guess; NYT's can be 'mindful' when it comes to protecting their own. All to say; we know anyone else is as likely 'damned' by their determined lack of discretion; when it comes to their news agenda.

(Though am inclined to answer 'no/not' here. . .cannot help but wonder if this reporter sees the world a bit 'differently' post his experience.)

June 20, 2009

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel09/fbi_investigates.htm

FBI Investigates Kidnapping of New York Times Reporter David Rohde

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge, Joseph M. Demarest issued the following statement concerning New York Times Reporter David Rohde:

“On June 19, David Rohde, a reporter for the New York Times contacted family members to advise he had escaped from his abductors. Rohde was taken hostage in Afghanistan on November 10, 2008. The FBI is working with the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense to see that Mr. Rohde receives medical attention and is reunited with his family.”

“Since Mr. Rohde’s abduction, the FBI has been fully engaged in the investigation. We have worked closely with the Rohde family and the NY Times. The investigation is being coordinated by the NY Field Office through the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. The investigation drew on resources from the FBI’s Boston Field Office, the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) as well as FBI personnel in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The investigation is continuing.”

“Significant assistance was provided by the U.S. State Department and U.S. Embassies in Kabul and Islamabad as well as the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan.”

Another captive, an Afghan national who was with Mr. Rohde when he was kidnapped also escaped and is being assisted by U.S. authorities.

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