WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is
telling Congress that Qatar officials negotiating the release of
captured Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl told the U.S. that "time was not on our
side" and a leak about the exchange would end the deal.
Hagel
says the decision to transfer five Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainees into
Qatar’s hands in exchange for Bergdahl was a tough call for President
Barack Obama. He says the five were "enemy belligerents" but had not
been implicated in any attacks against the U.S.
He says Qatar has
committed to adequate security measures that led him to decide the risks
of the transfer were substantially mitigated.
Hagel is testifying
before the House Armed Services Committee. Members of Congress from
both parties have blasted the administration for not giving lawmakers
advance notice of the detainee transfer.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is
telling Congress that Qatar officials negotiating the release of
captured Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl told the U.S. that "time was not on our
side" and a leak about the exchange would end the deal.
Hagel
says the decision to transfer five Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainees into
Qatar’s hands in exchange for Bergdahl was a tough call for President
Barack Obama. He says the five were "enemy belligerents" but had not
been implicated in any attacks against the U.S.
He says Qatar has
committed to adequate security measures that led him to decide the risks
of the transfer were substantially mitigated.
Hagel is testifying
before the House Armed Services Committee. Members of Congress from
both parties have blasted the administration for not giving lawmakers
advance notice of the detainee transfer.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.