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Bowe Bergdahl Refuses To Speak To His Parents: Report

Bowe Bergdahl Reportedly Refusing To Speak To Parents
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Senior Politics Reporter, HuffPost

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WASHINGTON -- Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has refused to see his parents or talk to them on the phone since he was released from captivity in Pakistan, the Wall Street Journal is reporting.

Bergdahl had been held captive by the Haqqani Network for five years before he was released to U.S. Special Forces in May as part of a prisoner swap. Under that deal, Bergdahl was set free in exchange for the release of five Taliban detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Bergdahl's parents stood next to President Barack Obama during his announcement of Bergdahl's release -- Berdahl's father sporting a long beard he began growing when his son went missing in 2009.

Despite the White House hailing Bergdahl's release as a victory, the matter became embroiled in controversy as lawmakers complained they weren't given sufficient notice of the planned swap and warned of national security risks of releasing leading Taliban figures. In the meantime, former members of Bergdahl's platoon tagged him as a deserter perhaps not worthy of being rescued.

Bergdhal returned to active duty on Monday after finishing his therapy at a military hospital in San Antonio.

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Before You Go

Bowe Bergdahl
Bowe Bergdahl(01 of26)
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This image made from video released Wednesday April 7, 2010 by the Taliban via the Site Intelligence Group shows a man identified as U.S. soldier Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl. In the video, Bergdahl, captured in Afghanistan in June 2009, says he wants to return to his family in Idaho and that the war in Afghanistan is not worth the number of lives that have been lost or wasted in prison. It is the first he has been seen since the Taliban released a video of him on Christmas Day. (AP Photo/Site Intelligence Group) MANDATORY CREDIT: SITE INTELLIGENCE GROUP; ON-SCREEN LOGO MUST NOT BE OBSCURED; NO SALES; ADDS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS NO WAY OF INDEPENDENTLY VERIFYING THE CONTENT (credit:AP)
Bowe Bergdahl(02 of26)
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This image made from video released Wednesday April 7, 2010 by the Taliban via the Site Intelligence Group shows U.S. soldier Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl. In the video, Bergdahl, captured in Afghanistan in June 2009, says he wants to return to his family in Idaho and that the war in Afghanistan is not worth the number of lives that have been lost or wasted in prison. It is the first he has been seen since the Taliban released a video of him on Christmas Day. (AP Photo/Site Intelligence Group) MANDATORY CREDIT: SITE INTELLIGENCE GROUP; ON-SCREEN LOGO MUST NOT BE OBSCURED; NO SALES (credit:AP)
Bowe Bergdahl(03 of26)
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FILE - This undated photo provided by the Bergdahl family and released by the Idaho National Guard shows Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 23, of Ketchum, Idaho. A U.S. soldier held by Afghan militants will not be harmed, a senior member of the Pakistan-based Haqqani network told The Associated Press on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. However, the United States and NATO can expect stepped up attacks as a result of the Obama administrations decision to declare the network of fighters a terrorist body, he said. He denied an earlier report that the only U.S. prisoner of war, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl would be harmed as a result of the administrations decision. (AP Photo/The Bergdahl Family, File) (credit:AP)
Bowe Bergdahl(04 of26)
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FILE - This file image provided by IntelCenter on Wednesday Dec. 8, 2010 shows a framegrab from a video released by the Taliban containing footage of a man believed to be Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, left. A U.S. soldier held by Afghan militants will not be harmed, a senior member of the Pakistan-based Haqqani network told The Associated Press on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. However, the United States and NATO can expect stepped up attacks as a result of the Obama administrations decision to declare the network of fighters a terrorist body, he said. He denied an earlier report that the only U.S. prisoner of war, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl would be harmed as a result of the administrations decision.(AP Photo/IntelCenter, File) MANDATORY CREDIT: INTELCENTER; NO SALES; EDS NOTE: "INTELCENTER" AT LEFT TOP CORNER ADDED BY SOURCE (credit:AP)
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A bank in Hailey, Idaho, displays a "Bring Bowe Home" sign on Thursday, June 20, 2013. The Taliban on Thursday proposed a deal in which they would free a U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, who has been held captive since 2009, in exchange for five of their most senior operatives at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/John Miller) (credit:AP)
(06 of26)
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Stefanie O'Neill, right, and Donna Thibedeau-Eddy, two organizers of this Saturday's "Bring Bowe Back" event in Hailey, Idaho, are pictured at the town's Hop Porter Park on Thursday, June 20, 2013, with one of four Norway maple trees planted to commemorate U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's four years in captivity after being taken prison in Afghanistan. The Taliban on Thursday offered to release Bergdahl, in exchange for five of their own prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/John Miller) (credit:AP)
(07 of26)
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This undated image provided by the U.S. Army shows Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. The Taliban proposed a deal in which they would free the U.S. soldier held captive since 2009 in exchange for five of their most senior operatives at Guantanamo Bay, while Afghan President Hamid Karzai eased his opposition Thursday June 20, 2013 to joining planned peace talks. (AP Photo/U.S. Army) (credit:AP)
(08 of26)
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Calvin Miller, right, and Taylor Heitzman look at a POW-MIA flag installed in support of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who is currently being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan, in Hailey, Idaho, Friday, June 21, 2013. The Afghan war, and the taking of this Berghdahl, may have long faded from the minds of most Americans. But for this community in the shadow of Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains, Bowe Bergdahl and his family's fight to free him are "omnipresent," said local Wesley Deklotz. "It's a whole community of people that are keeping him in their thoughts." (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
(09 of26)
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A POW-MIA flag flies in front of a pharmacy displaying a sign in support of bringing home U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who is currently being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan, in Hailey, Idaho, Friday, June 21, 2013. The Afghan war, and the taking of this POW, may have long faded from the minds of most Americans. But for this community in the shadow of Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains, Bowe Bergdahl and his family's fight to free him are "omnipresent," said local Wesley Deklotz. "It's a whole community of people that are keeping him in their thoughts." (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
(10 of26)
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A yellow ribbon honoring captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is tied to a tree in Hailey, Idaho, Friday, June 21, 2013. The Afghan war, and the taking of Bergdahl, may have long faded from the minds of most Americans. But for this community in the shadow of Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains, Bowe Bergdahl and his family's fight to free him are "omnipresent," said local Wesley Deklotz. "It's a whole community of people that are keeping him in their thoughts." (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
(11 of26)
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This Friday, June 21, 2013 photo shows a yellow ribbon tied to a tree and a banner honoring captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho. The Afghan war, and the taking of Bergdahl, may have long faded from the minds of most Americans. But for this community in the shadow of Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains, Bowe Bergdahl and his family's fight to free him are "omnipresent," said local Wesley Deklotz. "It's a whole community of people that are keeping him in their thoughts." (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
(12 of26)
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Runners stretch before their 5K race held to honor captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. The father and mother of the only known U.S. prisoner of war plan to speak on Saturday afternoon to a big crowd in their central Idaho hometown just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Claire Cassano(13 of26)
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Claire Cassano reacts as she listens to a message from Bob Bergdahl, father of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl before her 5K race held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. The father and mother of the only known U.S. prisoner of war plan to speak on Saturday afternoon to a big crowd in their central Idaho hometown just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Jani Bergdahl(14 of26)
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Jani Bergdahl, center, mother of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, gets a hug from a well-wisher at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. The father and mother of the only known U.S. prisoner of war plan to speak on Saturday afternoon to a big crowd in their central Idaho hometown just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl, Jani Bergdahl(15 of26)
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Bob Bergdahl, left, and wife, Jani, the parents of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, talk at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. The father and mother of the only known U.S. prisoner of war plan to speak on Saturday afternoon to a big crowd in their central Idaho hometown just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
J.C. Needham, Sonja Needham(16 of26)
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A yellow ribbon and a sign honoring captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl are seen on a tree as J.C. Needham and wife Sonja, right, rehearse to perform at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. The father and mother of the only known U.S. prisoner of war plan to speak on Saturday afternoon to a big crowd in their central Idaho hometown just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl, Jani Bergdahl(17 of26)
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Bob Bergdahl, left, and wife, Jani, center, the parents of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, get comforted by supporters at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. The father and mother of the only known U.S. prisoner of war plan to speak on Saturday afternoon to a big crowd in their central Idaho hometown just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Ron Coumerilh(18 of26)
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Gulf War veteran Ron Coumerilh wears a sticker to support captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bill Sharpness, Bill Atkinson(19 of26)
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Two Vietnam War veterans, Bill Sharpness, left, and Bill Atkinson hold in hands as they sing "God Bless America" at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl, Jani Bergdahl(20 of26)
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Jani Bergdahl, left, joined by husband, Bob, the parents of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, speaks at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl, Jani Bergdahl(21 of26)
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Bob Bergdahl, center, and wife, Jani, left, the parents of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, participate in a tree dedication ceremony at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl, Jani Bergdahl(22 of26)
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Bob Bergdahl, right, and wife, Jani, center, the parents of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, are comforted by a supporter at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl(23 of26)
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Bob Bergdahl, father of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, speaks at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl(24 of26)
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Bob Bergdahl, father of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, holds a POW-MIA flag embroidered with his son's name at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
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Supporters of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, ride their bikes at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
Bob Bergdahl, Jani Bergdahl(26 of26)
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Bob Bergdahl, right, and wife, Jani, the parents of captive U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, hold in hands as they pray at the "Bring Bowe Back" celebration held to honor Sgt. Bergdahl in Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, June 22, 2013. Hundreds of activists for missing service members gathered in a small Idaho town Saturday to hear the parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of war speak just days after his Taliban captors announced they want to exchange him for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
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