US politics "uproar" over prisoner exchange with Taliban

Days after the release of US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who fought in Afghanistan, in a prisoner exchange between Washington and the Taliban, Congress expressed its displeasure with the Obama administration's decision to "cut first and report later." The White House had to reassure and apologize to lawmakers.

Speaking to reporters on June 3 in Warsaw, Poland, President Obama said it was necessary to release five Taliban militants being held at Guantanamo Bay in exchange for the freedom of soldier Bergdahl after five years of imprisonment. He affirmed that this decision was based on the principle of protecting American soldiers on duty abroad.

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl (left), who was taken prisoner by the Taliban. (Source: AFP/VNA)

Explaining why the White House only made this information public after the exchange was completed, President Obama said Washington wanted to make sure that this opportunity would not be lost. He also said that the administration had repeatedly hinted at the possibility of a prisoner exchange in exchange for the freedom of American soldiers held abroad. In addition, President Obama did not forget to note the role of Qatar as an intermediary in this prisoner exchange.

The above statements of the White House owner were made after many US congressmen criticized the prisoner exchange, which they said was invalid when the government did not exchange and ask for the opinion of the bicameral congress.

By law, any decision to release prisoners at Guantanamo must be notified to the US Congress 30 days before taking effect. US Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein said the administration had violated US law.

Many lawmakers also shared this view and expressed concern that the newly released Taliban militants would take up arms against the United States. House Speaker John Boehner even claimed that the White House deliberately ignored its obligation to notify Congress in advance because it knew it would face opposition from lawmakers.

Analysts predict that the Obama administration will not be able to quickly close this prisoner scandal. Next week, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is expected to have a public hearing at the White House on this issue.

It is known that US Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken called to apologize to Chairman Feinstein. Meanwhile, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Demsey did not rule out the possibility that the authorities will conduct an investigation into Sergeant Bergdahl and that this soldier will be disciplined if any wrongdoing is discovered. There are currently many rumors that Bergdahl deserted in Afghanistan.

Army Sergeant Bergdahl, 28, was captured by the Taliban at an eastern base near the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan in June 2009. The prisoner exchange was carried out on May 31, just days after the US announced its plan to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, which will withdraw all 32,000 soldiers from the country by the end of 2016./.

According to VNA