Rescued American's dad "proud" of the U.S.

This post was written and reported by CBS News' Chris Francescani

The father of Jessica Buchanan, the American rescued by Navy SEALs in Somalia along with a Danish colleague this weekend, described in an interview with CBS News the two most amazing phone calls he said he has ever received.

John Buchanan told CBS News one was the call he finally got from his daughter, right after President Obama called following his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

"She said, 'Daddy, I love you, and I'll be fine. I'm OK.' It was just after, over 93 days and I hadn't spoken to her. It was pretty amazing and incredible that she's fine and (the SEAL teams) were able to do something and get her," Buchanan said. "We're just extremely grateful to God first, and to the U.S. government. They've been great throughout this whole thing - from the first day there were there, supporting us."

The families of the two hostages had their own negotiators, who worked in conjunction with the aid organization and the U.S. government, but were independent, Buchanan said. The hostage takers originally contacted the family through the aid organization.

"They were very difficult on everybody - on her husband, myself, her brother and sister. We got what (the hostage takers) wanted us to know," Buchanan said.

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Buchanan said he was heartened throughout the ordeal to know that "the FBI were looking over their shoulder the whole time, keeping everything on the up and up. I can't say enough about what the FBI did both in Kenya and here in the U.S. They were efficient. They were kind. They were just on top of everything. They knew what they were doing and what was going on at all times. They utilized a ton of resources."

Buchanan said he was briefed several times a week by the negotiators, and daily by the aid organization. But still it was trying. "Most days it was 'nothing,'" he said. He and his other daughter spent "about a month in Nairobi and Kenya" with Jessica's husband, where they met with aid organization officials and the hostage negotiators, but returned home empty handed.

Still, he knew that talk of a rescue was in the air.

"I was sort of getting a picture [of the situation] last week, because we had been getting some bad reports on Jess's health and I knew what the triggers were for them to intervene," Buchanan said.

Screen grab of video made while Jessica Buchanan, of the U.S., and Poul Thisted, of Denmark, were held hostage by Somali captors

He said he it was "completely coincidental" that he was in D.C. for meetings - which he said were set up two weeks prior - with the aid organization. He said the State of the Union was "the last thing" on his mind. He was in a hotel room in D.C. with his other daughter, taking calls from relatives, and not paying much attention to the State of the Union broadcast.

The lead-up to Mr. Obama's phone call "was very strange, because [White House officials] called, and somebody from the Situation Room called and told me to make sure my phone would be clear for a very important call. It was 40 minutes of not knowing what that call would be. I didn't know if it was going to be the worst or the best. We were in a hotel, myself and Jessica's sister. We had concluded a meeting. And so we just waited. A guy came on the phone and said 'Mr. Buchanan, the next voice you'll hear will be the President of the United States.' I said 'OK.' I'm thinking 'this could be some kind of cruel joke.'"

As it turned out, it was most definitely not a joke.

"He said, 'John, this is Barack Obama. I've got some really good news for you. Your daughter Jessica has been rescued and evacuated by our SEAL team and she's on her way home.' He said he empathized with me, having two daughters, and said something to the effect of how proud he was that our young people would go help these other people."

Buchanan says he is very thankful for all that was done for his family.

"I love my daughter," Buchanan said. "I'm just thrilled that she's ok and she's back. It sounds corny but I really am proud to be an American. We are the greatest country in the world, with the best resources. And I'm grateful to be an American."

[Poule_doux]

I bet that's gotta be a great feeling. Good to know we take care of each other.

[SOFOM1]

Am I the only one that thinks the timing of this was unusual? This just happened to take place on the day before the state of the union when everyone would be paying attention? Pardon my cynicism but my sense is this man and his administration won't do anything unless there is a big PR payday. Lucky timing for Buchanan.

[secretsquare12]

Think about it a little harder, SOFOM. You can't guarantee that a military operation will work. This was a "PR payday", but it just as easily could have been a PR nightmare. If they were planning this based on PR, the last thing you'd do is put it right before an important speech.

[lexingtonlady]

Of course if a democrat does anything decent it's wag the dog. I recall that from the Clinton years when he was harping on what a danger Osama was and republicans accused him of wagging that dog. The timing is because they thought she was really ill. The story is out there about why now.

[Samlv]

I'm glad we can do this. Send them a bill, too, for being there in the first place.

Or, let's be sure when we have to do this that we blow up every million dollar home on the coast owned by pirate lords, too.

[reubenrcbs]

It's hard to read this without having tears come to your eyes, but I've got to say that maybe we should cool it with all these people going over seas to help people. Unless there is adequate protection, it seems like counter productive, or they need to post a bond or something. Here we are doing what? Proselytizing in a land of pirates? Hmmm!

[thebob-bob]

Obama's failed foreign policy? Ask John Buchanan if he agrees.

[RedSkalaton]

Sometimes in life, moments that involve family are close to home and politics is trumped to that end.

[SandmanUSMC]

Of course, Repugs chime in and moan and groan every time the CIA, FBI or our US military has a success story. They don't want to see any success stories under Obama. It's all doom and gloom and fear mongering. They can't live without their daily dose of hate.

[flounderaz]

In 2004, when Saddaam Hussein was captured Howard Dean was the leading Democrat. If my memory serves me correctly his comment was " We'll get through this somehow".

[secretsquare12]

Wow flounder, way to just make something ridiculous up.

[AmazingGrce]

Clearly Obama is in a desparate state to be insisting on making these phone calls. He is trying to be the one declard 'the hero' for getting the people out, for killing Osama etc. In fact the plans the work the he danger all fell on others and all he had to do was nod his head - assuming he could understand the situation. I will say that this is one advantage in having some one with ZERO military experience - unlike Jimmy Carter who insisted on the micro-management that led to the failure and deaths in the Failed Iraning rescue mission in 1979.

Nonetheless we are happy to have these American safe and it's just too bad that the wonderful work of the Seals is being taken as a badge of success for Obama.

[GoGoUsa]

I feel sorry for you Amazing, I really do.

[Raptorsmasher]

I think he understand the situation(s) quite clearly, which, after reading your post, is more than I can say for you.

[bill geal]

So who would you blind with hate foxed parrots blame if the mission had failed? Gee let me guess.

[jnostromo]

9 filthy vermin down, 12,000 to go...The job is not yet completed...American special forces prove yet again their proficiency and valor...Now for the bigger eradication job , perhaps it is time to let the pirate vermin experience carpet bombing and incendiary rain.

[ici2i]

They are pirates & kidnappers because there's widespread poverty, corruption, no jobs, no hope, few schools, and really no future in this 3rd world country. Anarchy breeds these pirates. Ransoms seems to be the only real source of income for them to survive and people do awful things sometimes when they're hungry. I'm not making excuses or justifying these acts of violence just pointing out that until order is restored through proper government, this will continue. Killing all of them probably isn't pyhisically possible and the fear of being killed won't take the hunger pain away enough to stop the problem.

[erichbb]

@ici2i There are lots of other poor people in the world who don't resolve to kidnapping and terror. These pirates don't even help their own poor with the money. We have voluntary workers going there and what happens? They don't help their own and they kidnap volunteers. These pirates are scumbags. Hurting others is not the only way to survive.

[Parrots10]

by CaptainSmollett January 26, 2012 10:45 AM EST
Rescued American's dad "proud" of the U.S.

I wonder what Michelle Obama thinks abou that?

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i'll say it then ....... Mr. John Buchanan had NEVER been PROUD of America until his daughter was rescued by Navy Seals. Dumb Dumb Repugs !!