Biden: Obama Ordered Rescue of American Because of Her Failing Health
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ABC News(NEW YORK) — Vice President Joe Biden said American aid worker Jessica Buchanan’s failing health was the reason President Obama authorized Tuesday night’s rescue operation in Somalia.
“They said it was the time, the opportunity. Jessica’s health was, was in a word, ‘failing,’ and they concluded they should go at this time and the president gave a go,” Biden told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America Wednesday.
The vice president wouldn’t go into details, but said “it’s safe to say” that the mission went without a hitch.
“One of the things we know from before with the [Osama] bin Laden raid is the operational details are better not to be laid out and I’ll let the Pentagon decide to do that,” Biden said.
“I’ve been in country, in Afghanistan, in Iraq with these guys, these Special Operations Forces, they are absolutely the most incredible…it just takes your breath away, their capacity, and their bravery, and their incredible timing. These guys are amazing, and women, are amazing,” he added.
As ABC News reported, the Navy SEALs parachuted into a Somalian compound to rescue both Buchanan and her Danish co-worker Poul Hagen Thisted.
Biden said he monitored the rescue operation from the situation room Tuesday night, calling it a “good moment.”
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