VOA慢速英語:塔利班囚犯的釋放會(huì)造成什么影響尚不清楚
From VOA Learning English, this is In The News.
Five members of Afghanistan’s Taliban rejoined their families this week after13 years in detention. The United States had been holding the five at its prisonat Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The U.S. government recently sent them to Qatarin exchange for the only American soldier held in Afghanistan.
Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was believed to have been held prisoner for almostfive years. U.S. officials believe his captors belong to the Haqqani network, agroup with links to the Taliban.
Defense Department officials say Sergeant Bergdahl’s release followedseveral weeks of secret, indirect talks. The government of Qatar reportedlyassisted in the negotiations.
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U.S. President Barack Obama stands with Jami and Bob Bergdahl (R) as he delivers a statement about the release of their son, prisoner of war U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, in Washington May 31, 2014. |
In Washington last Saturday, President Barack Obama praised the soldier’srelease.
“He wasn’t forgotten by his community in Idaho, or the military, which rallied tosupport the Bergdahls through thick and thin. And he wasn’t forgotten by hiscountry – because the United States of American does not ever leave our menand women in uniform behind.”
Republican Party lawmakers welcomed BoweBergdahl’s release, but questioned the prisonerexchange. Senator John McCain was himself aprisoner of war during the Vietnam War. He describedthe five Afghans as hardened terrorists and violentextremists. He and other Republicans wanted theObama administration to explain what steps were takento make sure the five never return to fight against theUnited States.
The government in Afghanistan was angered at President Obama’s decisionto release the detainees. The Afghan foreign ministry said the decision was apossible violation of international law.
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U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Berghdal |
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has defended the agreement toexchange the detainees for Sergeant Bergdahl. He also defended thedecision not to inform Congress before the exchange took place, as requiredby law.
Secretary Hagel said he does not think the deal will endanger U.S. militarypersonnel or civilians by inviting future deals with hostage-takers.
The events leading up to the capture of the American in 2009 remain unclear. A soldier who served with him said the former prisoner is no hero.
“People calling him a hero or calling him this great soldier? It’s a spit in theface to all the soldiers who were there.”
That was former Army Sergeant Evan Buetow. He was Bowe Bergdahl’steam leader in Afghanistan. He says he is happy Sergeant Bergdahl is safe. But he says he cannot understand celebrating a soldier he says just walkedaway from his base.
On social media, others accused Bowe Bergdahl of walking away and ofgetting U.S. troops killed as a result of his actions.
Jonah Blank is with the RAND Corporation policy group. He notes the Armyrecognized the soldier with promotions not once, but twice during hiscaptivity. He says this suggests his actions were nothing less than honorable.
Army Secretary John McHugh has made clear the military’s first goal is tomake sure Sergeant Bergdahl regains his health. He says once that happens, the Army will launch what he called a “comprehensive, coordinated”investigation of the soldier’s disappearance.
And that’s In The News from VOA Learning English. I’m Steve Ember.
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