This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8430431.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Taliban video shows US soldier | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The Taliban has released a video that shows US soldier Bowe Robert Bergdahl who was captured in Afghanistan almost six months ago. | |
Nato has confirmed the man in the video - seen wearing sunglasses, a military helmet and uniform - is Pte Bergdahl. | |
The 23-year-old airborne infantryman, originally from Idaho, appears healthy. He speaks calmly and clearly. | |
He was captured in Paktika province, a Taliban stronghold in eastern Afghanistan, on 30 June. | |
The insurgents also released a video of him a few weeks after he was captured. | The insurgents also released a video of him a few weeks after he was captured. |
'Affront' | |
In the video, Pte Bergdahl gives identifying details about himself such as his rank, date and place of birth, and deployment details. | In the video, Pte Bergdahl gives identifying details about himself such as his rank, date and place of birth, and deployment details. |
"This is just going to be the next Vietnam unless the American people stand up and stop all this nonsense," he says. | "This is just going to be the next Vietnam unless the American people stand up and stop all this nonsense," he says. |
US Navy Rear Admiral Gregory Smith has condemned the video in a statement, saying Pte Bergdahl had clearly been forced to read a prepared statement. | |
He said releasing the clip on Christmas Day was an affront to the soldier's family and against the teachings of Islam. | |
The Pentagon has said Pte Bergdahl was serving with an Alaska-based infantry regiment in Paktika province. | |
He vanished from his base, near the border with Pakistan, just five months after arriving in Afghanistan. | He vanished from his base, near the border with Pakistan, just five months after arriving in Afghanistan. |
The military has been trying to locate him ever since, and a reward has been offered for his safe return. | |
He is believed to be the first soldier seized in either Iraq or Afghanistan for at least two years. | He is believed to be the first soldier seized in either Iraq or Afghanistan for at least two years. |