Barack Obama condemns video of solider

The US president will protest at the release of the video of the hostage, who has been held captive for more than two weeks, at the White House when he joins the Apollo 11 astronauts to
celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing.

The 28-minute video shows private Bowe Bergdahl being prompted by his captors to call for US forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. He also says he is scared that he "will not be able to
go home".

White House officials said Mr Obama was "appalled" by the propaganda video and has ordered forces in the region to do whatever is necessary to secure the safe return of the young
soldier.

The video, which was posted on YouTube, echoes the videos from the 1990 Gulf war, when RAF pilot John Peters and navigator John Nichol were
shot down and later forced to appear in videos condemning British forces in their fight to drive Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

Pentagon officials led the condemnation of the video which showed 23-year-old Pte Bergdahl eating and drinking tea.

"We condemn the use of this video and the public humiliation of prisoners. It is against international law," said military spokesman Colonel Greg Julian. "We are doing everything we
can to return this soldier to safety."

Pte Bergdahl disappeared at the end of last month while out on patrol. In the video he says he became detached from his colleagues and was snatched by the Taliban. Despite an intensive search, he was never found and was feared to have been executed.

It is the first time a member of the US forces
has been held hostage in Afghanistan since the invasion in 2001.

Pte Bergdahl is a member of the 501st Parachute Regiment, based at Fort Richardson in Alaska. He is from Ketchum in Idaho, where local residents
began tying yellow ribbons around trees near his family's home as they wait for his release and return.

In the video he was asked about his views on the war, his family life and the morale of US soldiers, which he described as "low". He says: "I am scared. I'm scared I won't be able to go home. It is very unnerving to be a prisoner.

"I have my girlfriend who is hoping to marry. I have my grandma and grandpas. I have a very, very good family that I love back home in America."

He continues: "I miss them every day that I'm gone. I miss them and I'm afraid that I might never see them again and that I'll never be able to tell them that I love them again. I'll never be able to hug them."

Later he is prompted to deliver a message to "your people" and says: "To my fellow Americans who have loved ones over here, who know what it's like to miss them: you have the power to make our government bring them home."

Pentagon officials have not discussed what actions are being taken to safely retrieve Pte Bergdahl, who is thought to be in the Taliban-controlled province of Ghazni. A spokesman said his fate has yet to be decided — but it is
likely he will be exploited further for other propaganda.