Posted on 06/11/2014 2:46:08 AM PDT by Libloather
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is expected to defend the prisoner exchange that lead to the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl when he testifies before the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby told The Associated Press that Hagel will explain to the committee that the Obama administration had a "very small, fleeting opportunity" to secure Bergdahl's release. Bergdahl was freed on May 31 after being held captive by the Taliban for almost five full years.
Kirby's description of a small window for the agreement meshed with comments by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who told reporters Tuesday that the administration finalized the exchange only a day before it took place. The Senate's No. 2-ranked Democrat also said American officials didn't learn the pickup location for Bergdahl until an hour ahead of time, making the question of advance notification irrelevant.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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