RED FLAG: White House continues to dodge questions about payoffs to terrorists

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Stockman (R-TX 36) released the following statement Tuesday morning:

On June 5th I sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking whether any compensation was provided by anyone to the Haqqani terrorist network in exchange for the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdhal.

Yesterday I received a response from Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs Elizabeth King.  Secretary King states “ we (the U.S. Government) did not pay any money to secure Sergeant Bergdahl’s release.”

I appreciate Secretary King’s straightforward response.  However, that was not the question I asked President Obama.

I specifically asked President Obama:

 “Did you or anyone authorized by or associated with your Administration, authorize any form of compensation, direct or third party, in exchange for Bergdahl?”

Secretary King’s response is what I expected.  Obviously the U.S. Government would not make a direct payment to terrorists, which is why that was not what was asked.

Additionally, if such an arrangement took place I doubt the Obama White House would have notified the Defense Department, who would not have supported paying terrorists.

I asked about third party financing because Sgt. Bergdahl was released by the Haqqanis in exchange for five Taliban terrorists.  That is unusual, as the Haqqani network is not directly related the Taliban and would have received no significant benefit from the release of Taliban militants.

There is the distinct likelihood of an arrangement in which President Obama would release Taliban terrorists in exchange for Taliban commanders purchasing Berghdal’s ransom from the Haqqani network.

Such an agreement by the Obama White House would provide material support to terrorists on two fronts, releasing Taliban militants and funding Haqqani terrorism.

That is why Americans are disturbed that the Obama administration has continued to dodge the following questions, which were originally sent to the White House June 5.

1)      Did Bergdahl’s captors, or anyone associated with his captivity, request renumeration in exchange for Berghdal?

 2)      Did you or anyone authorized by or associated with your Administration, authorize any form of compensation, direct or third party, in exchange for Bergdahl?

3)      If you or anyone authorized by or associated with your Administration, authorized any form of compensation, direct or third party, in exchange for Bergdahl would you deny it?

4)      Would you agree that cash payments to the Haqqani Network, by any party, assists the Network in carrying out violent and terrorist acts?

5)      Would you agree that cash payments to the Haqqani Network, by any party, constitute material support to terrorists?

6)      The late Michael Hastings, reporting for “Rolling Stone” in 2012, wrote, “’It (Bergdahl’s release) could be a huge win if Obama could bring him home,’ says a senior administration official familiar with the negotiations. ‘Especially in an election year, if it's handled properly.’”  Was the Bergdahl exchange agreement discussed with or shared with anyone on the White House’s political staff?  What was the date and nature of the communication?

The Haqqani network, which held Bergdahl for five years, funds its terrorist activities in part by ransoming prisoners.  The ransom for a uniformed American service member would greatly benefit the group’s terrorist activities.

The Haqqani network generally does not release Westerners unless they receive a large payment.  It would be hard to believe they would release Bergdahl in an exchange that does not directly benefit them.

By passing these questions off to the Defense Department the White House continues to raise red flags about its potential relationship with terrorists.

The White House continues to refuse to directly answer a simple question.  Did the President approve a deal in which a third party paid the Haqqani terrorists for Berghdahl’s release, and if he did would the White House deny it?

Americans deserve a straightforward answer as to whether their Commander-In-Chief approved or was aware of payments to terrorists in exchange for Sgt. Bergdhal.

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