SAN DIEGO, CA – Today, Congressman Scott Peters announced he will introduce a Congressional resolution supporting increased diplomatic efforts to secure the freedom of Army Sergeant Bowe Robert Bergdahl. In addition, he will be sending a letter to President Obama & Secretary of State Kerry formally requesting a review of the efforts. Bergdahl is currently the only known American Prisoner of War and yesterday marked four years of his captivity in Afghanistan.
“This is a week to celebrate our country’s independence and freedoms. In that context, it is appropriate that we bring attention to the sacrifices Sergeant Bergdahl and his family are making,” Congressman Peters said. “I will continue to monitor the progress of this situation as we work to bring Sergeant Bergdahl home safely.”
Former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who served ten years in the United States Marine Corps, has spent the last few years raising awareness of Bergdahl’s captivity.
“We are rightfully focused on bringing the troops home, but we have to bring them all home” said Fletcher. “For the last four years, Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has been held as a prisoner of war by the Taliban. As a country, we don’t leave anyone behind, and it is time to focus the full force of our country on getting him back.”
Army Sergeant Bergdahl was serving in the mountainous region of southeastern Afghanistan when he was taken captive on June 30, 2009 by members of the Haqqani network, a militant group allied with the Taliban. Since then, the Taliban has released several propaganda videos showing him in captivity. Reports state that the Taliban has demanded a monetary ransom as well as the release of Afghan and Pakistani prisoners in exchange for Sergeant Bergdahl’s release.