While secretary of state , Hillary Clinton was skeptical of early plans to trade Taliban prisoners for American captive Bowe Bergdahl , former officials involved in the process told CNN on Tuesday . Clinton pushed for a much tougher deal than the one with Qatar that secured the Army sergeant 's release in exchange for five terror detainees held at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , they said . She left office in 2013 , but the former officials said they did n't know whether Clinton would have signed off on the swap that culminated this past weekend with Bergdahl climbing aboard a military helicopter . Clinton offered a measured defense of it in an appearance in Denver on Monday . But she but did not answer when asked directly if she would have approved , if still serving as America 's top diplomat . `` This young man , whatever the circumstances , was an American citizen -- is an American citizen -- was serving in our military , '' Clinton said . `` The idea that you really care for your own citizens and particularly those in uniform , I think is a very noble one . '' Bergdahl was the only remaining U.S. soldier captured during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan . Clinton 's thinking on the matter is in play as she considers whether to run for president in 2016 . Republicans have taken aim at President Barack Obama 's foreign policy , and some conservatives complain that negotiating with the Taliban illustrates weak leadership that could hurt America later on . Obama has defended his decision , saying , `` We do n't leave men and women in uniform behind . '' Bergdahl , 28 , was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan in June 2009 , and was apparently moved between that country and Pakistan at that time . Clinton did not trust the Haqqani network believed to have held him , the former officials said , and she was skeptical that the trade would lead to peace with the Taliban . She reportedly was also concerned about the ability to enforce any deal . The Haqqani network has ties to al Qaeda and the Taliban , and the United States has designated it a foreign-based terror organization . Republicans and Democrats in Congress had also raised serious concerns more than two years ago with the Obama administration about the possibility of such a swap , and inquired about conditions . Key members from both parties wrote Clinton about their concern , and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein said they received a `` comprehensive response '' that included `` security assurances and a promise of consultation with the Congress . '' Feinstein and House Speaker John Boehner said this week they could recall no further consultations about the matter with the administration until last Saturday . A framework for negotiations approved by Clinton , however , had tougher measures aiming to ensure the detainees would not return to the battlefield , including releasing the prisoners in two phases . The former officials said that under her plan , the first three would be released and then the remaining two would be freed 60 days later when they released Bergdahl . She also wanted the Qataris to impose stricter restrictions and monitoring once they were in that nation 's custody , the officials said . Under the agreement reached with the Obama administration , the five detainees were transferred to Qatar where they can live freely but will be monitored for a year . American troops are due to wrap up combat operations in Afghanistan at year 's end with most forces leaving the country . While the deal resulting in Bergdahl 's release resulted from indirect talks mediated by Qatar , administration officials led by Marc Grossman , Clinton 's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan , met several times with Taliban leaders in 2011 and 2012 to discuss the issue . The meetings occurred before the Taliban broke off talks . Clinton wanted the prisoner swap to be one of a series confidence-building measures , which also included the opening of a Taliban office in Qatar 's capital , Doha , and a Taliban renunciation of terrorism , as part of larger peace efforts between the Taliban and Afghanistan . She also pushed Pakistan to use its influence with the Taliban to engage in the reconciliation talks to end the war , as the United States prepared to wind down in Afghanistan . `` You do n't make peace with your friends , '' she told Congress in October 2011 . `` There first would have to be a demonstrated willingness on the Taliban 's part to negotiate and to meet the conditions already laid out for joining negotiations . '' The Taliban office opened in June 2013 , but closed the same day when the group violated the terms by raising their flag , effectively killing talks for six months . Ultimately , the Obama administration agreed to release all of the prisoners at once and , because the Taliban said it would only negotiate over the prisoner exchange , abandoned its efforts at wider reconciliation when the talks resumed earlier this year . Who was swapped for Bergdahl ? Clinton on Monday said the ultimate outcome of the exchange is unknown right now . `` I think we have a long way to go before we really know how this is going to play out , '' Clinton said . `` You do n't want to see these five prisoners go back to combat . There 's a lot that you do n't want to have happen . '' But she added , `` You also do n't want an American citizen , if you can avoid it , especially a solider , to die in captivity . ''
Former officials : Hillary Clinton was skeptical of prisoner trade plans . Clinton was pushing for tougher terms and did n't trust the Haqqani network , they say . She was also asking for a Taliban renunciation of terrorism .