US made Ransom Payments

NEW REVELATIONS: The U.S. Paid 5 Taliban Leaders for Bowe Bergdahl – But That’s Not All…

When President Obama traded five Taliban prisoners for the release of captured U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl in May, many Conservatives were up in arms. Revelations made today in the New York Times may invite even more anger. According to report Bill Gertz, the administration also offered the Taliban a ransom payment.

The ransom payment was first disclosed by Rep. Duncan Hunter in a Nov. 5 letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Mr. Hunter stated in the letter that Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) made the payment covertly as part of a release deal. But the money was stolen by the Afghan intermediary claiming to represent the Haqqani terrorist network.

“Given the significance of this matter, as well as the fact that Pentagon officials have denied that a payment was even considered — and you also said you were unaware of any such attempt — I ask you to immediately inquire with JSOC to determine the specific order of events,” said Mr. Hunter, California Republican and member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Paying ransoms to terrorists for the return of hostages is highly controversial. The American government (along with the United Kingdom) has consistently maintained the official position that it does not make ransom payments, a stance that has been criticized at times. Many other countries have paid millions of dollars in ransom for relief of their citizens, sometimes through third parties.

The American policy has come under increased scrutiny with the surge of kidnappings of western hostages by terrorists. Although European countries deny they pay ransoms, a New York Times investigation published in July “found that Al Queda and its direct affiliates have taken in at least $125 million in revenue from kidnappings since 2008, of which $66 million was paid just last year.” The money was often hidden in development aid packages to Middle Eastern countries.

A Reuters poll conducted in August asked Americans if they support the current policies of the United States and Britain not to exchange ransom money for hostages. Sixty-two percent of respondents agreed with the policy, while 21 percent disagreed.

While it is difficult to turn away from the situations of individual hostages, many experts argue that paying ransoms simply encourages terrorists to take more victims. In the Bergdahl case, the actions of the Obama administration were questionable on three counts. First, it violated its own policy. Second, it did so with great ineptitude. Third, it did so for a soldier who may in fact have been a deserter.

http://conservativesunited.com/obama-administration-gets-caught-in-big-lie-about-bowe-bergdahl-hostage-trade/