U.S. Political Consultant Kidnapped in Afghanistan
By Phil Dobson
(WebToday, January 17, 2002)-- U.S. Political Consultant Kidnapped in Afghanistan
By Phil Dobson
Clark Russell Bowers, 37, of Harvest, Ala., a self-employed political consultant who was on his second trip to Afghanistan since Sept. 11 to deliver humanitarian goods, mainly medical supplies, was taken hostage by what he believes to be tribal warlords.
In a telephone call to his wife Wednesday from Afghanistan he said that he had been stopped by a group of Afghans and robbed of his belongings, including cash and a satellite phone. Mrs. Bowers contacted long time family friend Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, R-California.
Rick Dykema, Rohrabacher's chief of staff said that the congressman made a courtesy call to the State Department to ask how she should proceed. The Congressman "was rather shocked and surprised and concerned about his friend," when he was told about the report. ``We put his wife in touch with the proper authorities and we understand that they are following up,'' said Dykema.
Sources at the Pentagon said Bowers flew from Istanbul, Turkey, to Kabul, Afghanistan. A State Department official said that Mrs. Bowers had telephoned its Bureau of Consular Affairs and that the department was taking the report "very seriously."
"We are aware of the reports about the supposed hostage-taking of an American in Afghanistan. We are in touch with his wife," a spokesman in the department's consular affairs office said. The United States is working through the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, and other agencies "to try to determine whatever we can about the individual's welfare and whereabouts," the spokesman said.
Mrs. Bowers told The Birmingham (Ala.) News the kidnappers demanded $25,000. She said her husband called her again on Monday and gave instructions for arranging payment. ``He was actually very calm,'' she said.
In their phone conversation, Bowers told his wife that he was being treated fairly well but that the captors had roughed up his interpreter.
An American flag was displayed on the front porch of their two-story home and smaller flags were displayed along the drive. Yellow ribbons were tied to the mailbox and house columns.
Note: Clark is a personal friend of this reporter and I ask for your prayers for his safe return and for strength for his family.
You may send comments to Phil at: dobson@madcrazy.com
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