Militants Say Terrorist Listing Will Add To Idaho POW's 'Hardships'

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl went missing June 30, 2009 in Afghanistan and was later reported captured by the Taliban. U.S. Dept. of Defense photo

Commanders of the militant Haqqani Network say the U.S. decision to designate the group as a terrorist organization could have repercussions for a captive Idaho soldier. That’s according to reports out Friday from Reuters and NBC.

NPR has confirmed that Haqqani commanders say the move by the U.S. State Department will add to what they call the “hardships” of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. It’s believed the soldier from Hailey, Idaho, is being held — possibly in Pakistan — by the Haqqani Network. The group has ties to the Taliban. U.S. military officials say the Haqqanis are responsible for a number of high-profile attacks on troops in Afghanistan.

Senior members of the Haqqani Network say the terrorist label, which constricts international fund-raising, will jeopardize the United States’ hoped-for peace talks. One point of discussion in those talks was reportedly a prisoner swap. Under proposed terms, Bergdahl would be exchanged for Taliban leaders imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay.

Bergdahl, now 26, has spent the last three years in captivity. He’s the only U.S. soldier known to be in enemy hands.

On the Web:

State Dept. statement:

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/09/197474.htm

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