Father of captured Idaho National Guard Private silent no more

Father makes heartbreaking YouTube to Taliban who have held his soldier son hostage for two years
By OLIVER PICKUP

The father of an American soldier who was captured by the Taliban nearly two years ago has made a heartbreaking plea to his captors in the hope that they will release his son.

Bowe Bergdahl from Sun Valley, Idaho, went missing in June 2009 while on duty in Afghanistan's Paktika province, and now Robert has politely asked whether Pakistan - where he thinks his son is - forces will let him go.

The 25-year-old has been in the captivity of the Taliban supporting Haqqani network and four videos have been released showing the soldier begging for help - and being 'exploited' in the eyes of his father.

In the 23 months since their son went missing his parents have remained out of the public eye, until now, following the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Robert Bergdahl has posted the humble and respectful three-minute appeal on YouTube in the hope that 'this video may be played to our only son'.

From the family in Hailey, Idaho, he addresses the Taliban and the Haqqani network, and begins the film - posted on May 6 - by saying: 'These are my thoughts - I can remain silent no longer.


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