Afghan Taliban post video claimed to be of captive U.S. soldier

Afghan Taliban post video claimed to be of captive U.S. soldier

This video frame grab from the Taliban propaganda video released Friday Dec. 25, 2009 purportedly shows U.S. soldier Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, 23, of Ketchum Idaho who was captured more than five months ago in eastern Afghanistan.It could not be confirmed immediately that it was Bergdahl in the new video, which was released to The Associated Press and other news organizations. The man identifies himself as Bergdahl, born in Sun Valley, Idaho, and gives his rank, birth date, blood type, his unit and mother's maiden name before beginning a lengthy verbal attack on the U.S. conduct of the war in Afghanistan and its relations with Muslims.

KABUL, Dec. 25 -- The Afghan Taliban on Friday released a video clip purportedly showing a U.S. soldier who was captured more than five months ago in eastern Afghanistan.

In the video clip, a man wearing sunglasses, a helmet and a U.S. military style uniform says he is private Bowe Bergdahl.

He gives identifying details about himself, such as his rank, date and place of birth, blood type, and his deployment details, and says he is a prisoner of war of the Taliban.

"I'm afraid to tell you that this war has slipped from our fingers and it's just going to be our next Vietnam unless the American people stand up and stop all this nonsense," he said.

It is not clear when the video was made.

The U.S. military has yet to comment.

Bergdahl disappeared in Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan on June 30. In July, he appeared in a video issued by the Taliban, urging the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The Pentagon then denounced the Taliban for showing the images.
(AFP)