here is number two - mohammad fazl. former taliban army chief of staff and deputy defence minister that rose swiftly through the ranks. he's wanted by the united nations for war crimes, including the murder of afghan shiite civilians, he was one the first arrivals at guantanamo bay. they've all been in about 12 years until this weekend. abdul haq wasiq, a former deputy chief, key to efforts to form alineses for other groups fighting against the u.s. after 9/11. mullah norullah noori - he is next. he is described as a senior taliban military general, who like mohammad fazl is wanted by the united nations for alleged war crimes against civilians. and finally mohammed nabi serving in communication roles, allegedly operating a taliban cell out of hovt, but is said to have attacked u.s. and coalition forces. and also was in charge of smuggling fighters and weapons. those are the five. >> let's go deeper. thank you john terrett. >>> joining me now is robert, a former director of the c.i.a.'s counterterrorism. does the fact th

mohammad fazl was the deputy minister of between and a senior commander. khairullah khairkhwa was minister of interior and was associated with osama bin laden. and abdul haq wasiq, the deputy minister of intel gones was central in forming alliances between the taliban and other groups. mullah norullah noori was a senior military commander during fighting between the coalition forces in 2001, and mohammed nabi served in multiple rolls. we have this report from doha. >> there are two things that we will monitor in the capital. the arrival of the five taliban detainees, and the presser by the qatari minister of foreign affairs, where we expect him to shed light on the role that the qatari government played in the prisoner swap, and details about the prestrictions placed on the former detainees. this is one aspect. there's another aspect boosted by the swop. the qatari government is likely to play a significant role in the future. you have the afghan reconciliation, and on the other hand you have the foreign troops pulling out from afghanistan. as we speak, th

mohammad fazl was a deputy ci leader of zens. khairullah khairkhwa, intrr americans was associated with osama bin laden. abdul haq wasiq, the deputy minister of intelligence was central in forming alliances between the taliban and other groups. mullah norullah noori was a senior military commander during fighting against the u.s. and coalition forces in late 2001. and mohammed nabi served in multiple leadership roles with strong links to al qaeda. joining me now is case. give us an indication of how the taliban is reacting to this. >> well, we could manage to talk with the taliban spokesman a few minutes ago. he called the release a great achievement. it is not a normal taliban commander. they were the founder of the movement and important military and intelligence figure. at the same time afghans are optimistic, saying that the five prip are are respected by the taliban leadership, and they could open a line of communication between the government for the peace process. >> to what extent does that mean that the taliban could be

mohammad fazl was the deputy minister of defense, and a senior commander of the taliban army. khairullah khairkhwa was the minister of interior, directly associated with osama bin laden. abdul haq wasiq, the gooutry minister of intelligence was central in forming alliances between the taliban and others. mullah norullah noori as a senior military commander during coalition forces and mohammed nabi served in multiple leadership rolls, suspected of having strong leption to al qaeda. >> there are two that we'll monitor in the capital of doha. the arrival of five detainees, and the minister of forebb affai affairs. the roll that the qatari government played in the swap and details about restrictions. they are going to stay here in doha or fly back to afghanistan and what political role they could play in the future. >> this is one aspect. this is another. it is most likely to play a significant role. on one hand you have the afghan reconciliation, and on the other foreign troops pulling out of afghanistan as we speak. the taliban say we are doing this ipp directly, leaving us to a

mohammad fazl was a deputy leader of defense. khairullah khairkhwa was minister of interior, directly associated with president obama. abdul haq wasiq was the gooutry minister of intelligence and was sngs in forming alliances between the taliban and other groups. mullah norullah noori as a senior military commander during fighting i gaips the u.s. and coalition forces and mohammed nabi served in multiple leadership rolls, expected of having strong links to al qaeda. the detainees are expect to arrive in two hours. first from kabul. these are senior taliban figures, how have the taliban in afghanistan received news of their release? >> we could manage to talk with the taliban in the past one hour. what he is calling is the release of these five men, he said it's a great achievement for the taliban, and there is not a taliban commander, but the founder of the movement in 1996. he said that release is a great achievement. >> and there have been ongoing talks between the afghan government and taliban. how do you see the release of at

mohammad fazl is a well-known name among the taliban.s not an original but joined and rose through the ranks. a former taliban deputy defense commander he's alleged to have committed war crimes, including executing civilians in 1999. abdul haq wasiq is believed to have worked with al qaeda to train fighters in intelligence methods. as the taliban deputy minister of intelligence. he was handed to the u.s. by the current afghan government in a stiping operation in -- stiping operation in stwp, after -- in 2001 after turning himself in. mullah norullah noori is described as a significant taliban leader detained, who served as a senior military commander against the u.s. and their allies in 2001. when he was taken into custody he held on administrative position as the head of the northern zone and was a governor for the taliban. mohammed nabi operated a sell in eastern afghanistan attacking u.s. and coalition forces and smuggled fighters and weapons. >> of the 141 detainees, 12 are afghan citizens. they are considered less important and dang

mohammad fazl is a well-known name amoping the early tal -- among the early taliban, he is was not one of the original but rose up. a former taliban deputy defense commander he's alleged to have committed war crimes, including excusing civilians. abdul haq wasiq worked with al qaeda to train fighters as the deputy minister of intelligence. he was handed to the u.s. by the current afghan government in a siting operation in 2001, after turning himself in. mullah norullah noori is described in u.s. military files as one of the most significant taliban leaders detained, who served as a senior military demander against the u.s. and its allies. when taken into custody he held an administrative position as the head of the northern zone, and was a governor for the taliban. >> mohammed nabi was an operator of a talibani cell that attacked coalition and u.s. forces and smuggled fighters and weapons, in the east. >>> coming up at the half hour, we'll talk to u.s.-based attorney about the man and the case against him. to talk more on the political and diplomatic situations we are joined by retired

. >> i met mohammad fazl in guantanamo, and from his - he told me that sharif is a nice man. >> khairullah khairkhwa served as the minister interior. he is said to directly be associated with osama bin laden. >> i met him twice time, and he's in my cell, and we talk about afghanistan, about traditional afghanistan, and i know from his, the governor ror herat -- governor, of herat. we wish to come there. but it was full of taliban before we reach her a. >> moving on to abdul haq wasiq, this is the plan with whom perhaps you were most friendly during your time in guantanamo. >> he told me he is intelligent minister. and he told me some story about his work, and also he's a nice man, and quiet man and he have wisdom and times i take from hum. >>> and mullah norullah noori - this is a man you didn't meet in guantanamo. >> yes, i think this man, they arrested him later on after. >> and finally mohammed nabi, who it is thought was senior commander in the tall band. >> he's commandant, and i met him also in guantanamo. i have - he's my neighbour. as i know from him, he's - have good feeling and b

another one, mullah mohammad fazl. and mullah norullah noori said he was not expected to the taliban. u.s. intelligence sources said abdul haq wasiq said he claimed he was arrested while trying to escape. and finally chief of communications, mohamed nabi omari helped prisoners escape from afghanistan. u.s. officials won't elaborate on what exactly those assurances were and added they were not negotiating with terrorists because qatar officials helped secure the exchange. there's a one year ban on travel for the men. pamela brown, cnn, washington. >> let's dig deeper now in the circumstances of their release and whether president obama broke the law by not notifying congress 30 days before it happened. diane fine stain said it would have been better if they were informed. chambliss said he doesn't believe the claim that the u.s. needed to act quickly. jeff, there are a number of voices on capitol hill saying the president broke the law by not giving congress 30 day warning on the prisoner swap. do you agree? >> do i. i

of perhaps greatest concern mullah mohammad fazl, a former deputy defense minister of the taliban.. assessment found if released he would likely rejoin the taliban and also accused him of possible war crimes in the murder of thousands of shiite muslims in afghanistan. the white house said the prison swap was the right thing to do. >> the united states does not leave our men and women in uniform behind. >> after 12 years in captivity away from the battlefield, it's not clear how much value the five men would have to the taliban now. but as one leader mullah omar has emerged from silence has call the release a great victory and a sign that the u.s. is headed to ultimate defeat. brian ross, abc news, washington. >>> the president begins his four-day europe trip with a stop in poland today. mr. obama is expected to urge european leaders to keep up pressure on russia. over a threatening moving in ukraine. the president may see russian president vladimir putin when the two travel to normandy for the 70th anniversary of d-day. they are scheduled to attend a lunch and ceremony on friday to

mohammad fazl is also a well-known name among the early taliban, he was not an original taliban, but joined after, and rose up through the ranks. a former taliban deputy defense commander, he's alleged to have committed war crimes, including executing civilians. abdul ha convicts was. >> q is blooeld to have worked with al-qaeda in training methods. he was handed to the u.s. by the current afghan government in a siting operation in 2001 after turning himself in. mullah, norullah noori is described as a leader who sarfeed as a senior -- served as a senior commander against the u.s. and allies. when taken into custody he held an administrative position as the head of the northern zone and was a governor for the taliban. mohammed alnowri was accused of smuggling fighters and weapons. >>> al jazeera america's parent kl is based in qatar and financed in part by the country's government. >>> president obama addressed change. on monday the white house will release a proposal designed to reduce carbon emissions. here is what the president had to say ahead of the announcement. >> special inte

mullah mohammad fazl was accused of being involved in the massacre of thousands of shiites.rullah nori, who always claimed he was not a senior taliban official. u.s. intelligence allege that abdul haq wasiq had been number two in the group with links to al qaeda. finally, mohammed nabi omary, according to his reviews, he also had links to al qaeda. he claims he helped the u.s. track down the taliban's shadowy leader mullah omar. two years ago, the director of intelligence told congress all five had been assessed as both too dangerous to release and too difficult to put on trial. >> i don't think anyone harbors any illusions about these five taliban members and what they might -- might do if they were transferred. >> but even then, the obama administration was considering a halfway house in qatar for the five men, as part of a deal that might bring the taliban to peace talks. tim lister, cnn. >> lots of complaints coming out of washington that the deal for sergeant bowe bergdahl will embolden terrorists like the taliban. earlier, we heard a response to that from two former na

mohammad fazl is a former chief of staff and defence minister who rose through the ranks, wanted by the united nations for war crimes, including the murder of afghan shiite civilians, one of the first to arrive in guantanamo bay. all five have been there for 12 years. abdul haq wasiq is a deputy chief, central to the taliban effort to form alliances with fundamentalist groups to fight against the u.s. and coalition forces after 9/11. carmen mullen -- mullah norullah noori is wanted by the united nations for alleged war crimes against civilian. and mohammed nabi is the fifth member, an official that served in leadership roles, including head of communication, operating a cell out of hovt, said to have attacked u.s. forces. they are the five swapped for bowe bergdahl. >> thank you. >>> sergeant bowe bergdahl is recovering at a u.s. military hospital in germany, freed by the taliban in afghanistan after five years of captivity. people in idaho, hailey are waiting for him to return home. allen schauffler is in hailey. how have the people in hailey been handling the news this weekend? >> wel

the biggest name among them, a man by the name of mohammad fazl, a u.s. army report once declared him high risk. saying that if he was released he would quote, likely rejoin the taliban. another of the detainees, abdul haq wasiq, reportedly had direct access total taliban leader, omar. they're all facing a travel ban meaning they won't be allowed to leave that country and certainly not return to afghanistan for at least a year. already, president obama facing heavy criticism from republicans who accuse him of violating a long-standing u.s. policy to not negotiate with terrorists. and in this case, these are five men who once that travel ban is lifted could very easily go back to endangering more american lives. bianna. >> yet clearly this was a risk the president was willing to take. muhammad, thank you. >>> and as we mentioned earlier, the release of sergeant bergdahl has been an ongoing crusade for his parents since he was taken into the custody by the taliban five years ago. the couple holding regular rallies in hailey, idaho. and tying yellow ribbons.

mullah mohammad fazl was the taliban army chief of staff, he is wanted by the u.n. for possible war crimes against shia afghans prior to 9/11 abdul haq wasiq was taliban deputy minister of intelligence, and helped run the group's alliances with al-qaida and other groups mullah norullah noori was a provincial governor. and mohammad nabi omari was a communications official who helped al qaida members escape to pakistan. qatar has agreed to keep them there, under supervision, for a year. but arizona senator john mccain and other republicans warned of what happens later. >> the big issue here is what's going to happen to these five individuals. if they re-enter the fight, then it is going to put american lives at risk, and none of us want that to happen, not secretary hagel or anybody. there were also questions today about whether the president breached a longstanding protocol against negotiating with terror groups. white house press secretary jay carney... >> although, as you know, we dealt with the qataris in order to secure his release, it was absolutely the right th

. >> eli, one of those five taliban leaders, mull mullah mohammad fazl, he's accused of massacring thousands of shiites in the 1990s. has the u.s. ever released someone for u.s. war crimes? >> i can't remember that. there's also an extraordinary point here that the taliban is considered by john mccain to be a terrorist organization but by considering this to be an exchange of prisoners of war, it's like conferring a new status on the taliban which i think is an important point. >> the people that held sergeant bergdahl -- the people that held sergeant bergdahl, they were the haqqani network in pakistan, remnants of the taliban, if you will, back in 2012 hillary clinton declared the haqqani network to be a terrorist organization. he was being held by what the u.s. declared to be a terrorist organization. >> that's true. but i would just point out -- and at this point i haven't done anything to say that these two are connected but there hasn't been a drone strike in pakistan for almost six months, since december 25th, 2013. i think this is a way for the obama administration to create the atmos

mohammad fazl is also a well-known name among the early taliban. he was not an original taliban, but joined soon after and rose up through the ranks. a former taliban deputy defense commander is alleged to have committed war crimes including executing civilians. abdul haq wasiq is believed to have worked with al-qaeda to train taliban fighters in intel geps methods. he was handed over to the u.s. by the counter afghan government in a siting operation in 2001, after turning himself in. mullah norullah noori is described in u.s. military files as one of the most significant taliban leaders, detained, who served as a military commander. when he was taken into custody, he held an administrative position as the head of the northern zone. he was the governor for the taliban. >> a former security official was accused of operating a taliban cell at a city coast that attacked u.s. and coalition forces and smuggled fighters and lessons. >> thank you. we want to know, al jazeera's parent company is based in qatar. and financed in part. >> coming up at 8 o'clo

men were described as too dangerous to be set free and of most concern to counterterror experts, mohammad fazl who according to a u.s. assessment made six years ago made public by wikileaks had a high risk to the u.s. and was likely to rejoin the taliban in fighting. so they're out there now and both fazl and another man were accused of serious war crimes involving the death of thousands of shiite muslims in afghanistan. >> something we must keep in mind. all right, brian, thank you very much. >> thank you very much, brian. >>> we begin with surprising new details in the private jet crash in massachusetts. investigatoring hope to find the plane's black boxes today to find out what caused the $5 million gulfstream to race off a runway and burst into flames. among the seven people killed was lewis katz. the in co-owner of philadelphia's major newspapers. former governor ed rendell was invited on the plane was declined. >>> the woman at the center of donald sterling's downfall is back in the spotlight. there is word this morning that v. stiviano was attacked last night on a new york city street.

. >> and mohammad fazl, chief of staff of the taliban army. >> and mullah it isnorullah noos the governor. i think this puts americans abroad at risk. and there are a lot of americans doing business around the world. and they should be more worried this morning than they were yesterday morning. >> the former head of the osama bin laden unit, michael scheuer had this to say. >> we'll have more with michael scheuer in a moment. he thinks it is for political reasons we did this and wrapping it up in a neat bow, the war in afghanistan. we want to make sure all the loose ends are tied up here. at what cost? costs negotiating with terrorists. >> i can't get over the point that anna made earlier. there's a moral equivalence all of a sudden drawn between an american soldier and five foreign terrorists. >> not even one for one, five for one. >> taliban operatives are somehow on the same plain. that's the same melszage that it sends. >> and all five of them, who is saying they won't start to try to kill americans when they get back? they are not scared to die for their cause, so are they going to c

mullah mohammad fazl was second in command of the taliban army in 2001. these were not junior level players. capturing these five men was a priority when our troops participated in the liberation of afghanistan from the taliban in 2001, where our sons and daughters bled and died to free afghanistan and to exact punishment on those who carried out a horrific terrorist attack on the united states of america. we cannot know for sure how many american soldiers paid the ultimate price to capture these five senior terrorists. even as many other detainees at gitmo have been released, up until now these five have been considered too dangerous to let go. given the level of threat they represent, any proposal to release them should be of the utmost seriousness. unfortunately, by all indications, the administration's release treated their threat as anything but serious. americans need to know how the obama administration thinks it has made our nation safer by negotiating with terrorists to release these five dangerous terrorist leaders. until president obama can mak