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 Hagel told the House Armed Services Committee that President
Barack Obama's approval of the prisoner exchange was the correct
decision because it kept faith with the military's pledge not to
leave troops behind. But he admitted "trust has been broken" by the
failure to keep Congress adequately informed about the deal.
Lawmakers have criticized the administration for sending the five
Taliban leaders held at Guantanamo prison to Qatar without giving
them 30 days notice as required by law. They also have said the deal
amounted to negotiating with terrorists.
"Bergdahl was a detained combatant being held by an enemy force, and
not a hostage," Hagel said.
Angry Republican lawmakers reacted skeptically to Hagel's
explanation of the administration's actions, accusing him of not
trusting Congress. One questioned the military's rationale for
holding Bergdahl at a U.S. military hospital in Germany since his
release on May 31 from Afghanistan.
"You're trying to tell me that he's being held in Landstuhl,
Germany, because of his medical condition?" Representative Jeff
Miller asked.
 "I hope you're not implying anything other than that," Hagel
replied, noting Bergdahl was receiving both physical and
psychological treatment after five years as a prisoner of the
Taliban. "I don't like the implication of the question."
The initial euphoria over 28-year-old Bergdahl's release swiftly
ebbed, with some of his former comrades accusing him of deserting
his post in 2009 before his capture.
Hagel said he had been "offended and disappointed" by some of the
treatment of Bergdahl's family. He said a comprehensive Army review
would look at the legal issues surrounding Bergdahl's disappearance
and capture. "His conduct will be judged on facts, not hearsay,
posturing, charges or innuendo," Hagel said.
Hagel said the Obama administration felt a growing sense of urgency
about freeing Bergdahl in the weeks leading up to the swap because
of fears his health was deteriorating and warnings from Qatari
intermediaries that "time was not on our side."
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"We grew increasingly concerned that any delay, or any leaks, could
derail the deal and further endanger Sergeant Bergdahl," Hagel said.
"We were told by Qataris that a leak would end the negotiations for
Bergdahl's release."
Efforts to secure Bergdahl's freedom began to quicken in January
after the administration received a "proof of life" video from the
Taliban through the Qatari intermediaries.
"It was disturbing," Hagel said. "It showed a deterioration in his
physical appearance and mental state."
Feeling a greater sense of urgency because of the video and a
break-off in indirect talks, the administration negotiated a
memorandum of understanding in early May with Qatar detailing the
security measures that would be enforced if any Taliban detainees
were transferred to their custody, he said.
After the memo was signed, U.S. officials received a warning from
Qatari intermediaries that "time was not on our side," Hagel said.
They moved forward with indirect talks on the mechanism for the
prisoner swap, reaching a deal on May 27.
"We were told by the Qataris that a leak would end the negotiations
for Bergdahl's release," Hagel said.
The U.S. defense chief said the swap was set in motion just four
days later. He said U.S. forces did not know the general area of the
handoff until 24 hours beforehand and did not have the precise
location until one hour before the swap.
(Editing by Jason Szep and Grant McCool)
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