Afghan adventure unfolds
Advertiser Staff and News Services
The keynote speaker for the Hawai'i Christian Coalition's upcoming convention, Clark Bowers, says he was kidnapped in Afghanistan, tortured and forced to pay some of his own ransom — but few independently confirmed details have emerged.
FBI agents met for two hours with him Thursday, a spokesman said yesterday.
Bowers, a consultant who often serves as a speaker at events held by conservative groups, was cooperative during his first in-depth interview with federal agents, FBI spokesman Craig Dahle said. Dahle would not say what was discussed.
"It was really meant to fill in some of the details from the events that triggered all this, his disappearance," he said. "They haven't really made any determination about what, if anything, will follow from here."
The FBI said Bowers is not under investigation.
Bowers' wife has said he called her Jan. 9 and told her that he and an interpreter were being held by a warlord for $25,000 ransom.
He says he was released after $5,000 was paid, but hasn't said what happened to his interpreter.
Bowers was initially believed to have been on a humanitarian mission, but he later said he was gathering information for the exiled king of Afghanistan. He said he was released Jan. 18.
Bowers, 37, who returned to Alabama, is expected to issue a more complete statement soon. To date, he has said that $5,000 ransom was paid to an Afghan warlord for his freedom and that he did not know the identity or affiliation of his abductors.
Bowers has spoken briefly with news organizations and an FBI agent in Pakistan, where he got a room in a hotel after leaving Afghanistan.
Bowers would not say who paid his ransom but said part of it came from his credit card. The government has not publicly verified Bowers' story.
In one interview after his release, he admitted to "hyperbole" on his resume. Biographical or promotional materials repeatedly refer to Bowers as a professor, a Ph.D. or a visiting fellow from Harvard University. Harvard said he was only a student.
Some are standing behind Bowers despite the questions.
Garret Hashimoto, president of the Hawai'i Christian Coalition, said Bowers will still speak, along with the national coalition's president, Roberta Combs, at the group's Gala 2002 convention Friday and next Saturday.
"He's a dynamite guy," said Hashimoto. "I've been looking at all the press he's been getting and I don't believe it. I just like the way he speaks. I'm not touting his resume. I'm touting the way he speaks."
In a recent Hawai'i Christian Coalition report, Bowers is listed as "Professor Clark Bowers, National Chairman of the Missile Defense System."
Hashimoto said that title is wrong. It is really "Missile Defense System Coalition director," he said, and the coalition comprises business people who favor the missile defense shield.
The coalition, which apparently has received no money or official recognition from the Pentagon, dissolved after meeting twice, said Bill Davis of Guntersville, Ala., a consultant who served on the panel.
Hashimoto said he hopes Bowers talks about his experience in Afghanistan.
Bowers has been to Afghanistan twice since Sept. 11, his wife has said. Both times he was delivering humanitarian aid paid for by private donations.
Gala 2002 at the Sheraton Waikiki will include workshops with such topics as "Organizing Political Precincts to Restore Godly Government."
The cost to attend Gala 2002 is $25. The gala dinner is $50 and will include entertainment by Gay and Randy Hongo and an orchestra.
For more information, call Hashimoto at 842-0707.
The Associated Press and Religion & Ethics Writer Mary Kaye Ritz contributed to this report.
