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Africa: West
Liberian Ex-Leader Stole $3 Million as He Left, U.N. Aide Says
2003-09-06
Charles G. Taylor, who was forced out as president of Liberia on Aug. 11 and flew to exile in Nigeria, took with him $3 million donated for disarming and demobilizing thousands of armed combatants, a senior United Nations official said today. The sum is roughly equal to six months of current government revenues in Liberia, by any measure one of the poorest nations on earth.
Chuckles emptied the vault on the way out? Wonder if anyone thought to put a guard there? Nah, that would be too easy!
The senior United Nations official here, Jacques P. Klein, the special representative of Secretary General Kofi Annan, described the theft and said the donor was an Asian nation. Other government officials said it was Taiwan. Taiwan is the only Asian country with both an embassy in Monrovia and close ties to the former Taylor administration. Taiwanese officials could not be reached for comment here, nor could Mr. Taylor.
That’ll teach ’em.
Mr. Klein sent this message to a radio audience today: "I would say to the belligerents out there who may be listening to us, `It’s your money, guys.’" The administration of Mr. Taylor was known for suave conduct in public and brutal behavior in private.
Suave? Chuckles?
Just a pious Baptist preacher, serving his pee-pul...
Now the extent of his stealing is becoming clear. In an interview, Mr. Klein said senior members of the Taylor administration were now seeking bribes from European Union officials who are trying to import desperately needed fuel to run electric generators. Monrovia has had no functioning power system for almost a decade, the consequence of 14 years of fighting. Mr. Klein said he would go to New York on Saturday and ask the United Nations Security Council for a mandate to send 15,000 peacekeepers to Liberia for at least a year. A Council vote is expected the week of Sept. 15. The first of the new peacekeepers could be here in October, with the goal of isolating and disarming the warring factions. The factions are not making war on each other now, but they are terrorizing civilians, driving them from their villages.
Oh... They weren't doing that before?
Mr. Klein and American officials here said any future American military role in Liberia might be confined to a small group of trainers, either soldiers or government contractors, sent to try to shape up the remnants of the Liberian Army. A small contingent of Marines stationed here since Aug. 15 is to leave on Oct. 1, two weeks before a new transitional government takes power. "The United States, even if it cannot make the commitment itself, should encourage other countries to stay for the long term, to help us out," said Mr. Klein, a retired United States Air Force major general.
No problem. "Hey guys, stick around, okay?" There, that ought to do it.
The question of money is crucial in Monrovia. No one knows who will put up the hundreds of millions of dollars needed to rebuild the nation.
Why did I just feel a twinge of pain in my wallet?
The capital has been all but destroyed, as have hundreds of Liberian villages, by the civil war that Mr. Taylor started in 1989 as he fought his way to power and the presidency in 1997. Rebel forces began to attack Mr. Taylor’s government in 1999; this summer they laid siege to Monrovia for 10 weeks. "We need money desperately," said Mr. Klein, who hopes to convene international donors in Paris this fall.
"And we’ll lock the safe this time!"
Posted by:Steve White

#8  Ahh,Charlie the NAACP are racists. Do you think that,as a dirt poor White guy,I could get any help from the NAACP.Last time I looked white is a color too.
Posted by: raptor   2003-9-7 7:53:00 AM  

#7  Look, the fact is, the African American Community is more concerned about cashing in on there great-great-great grandfather's suffering in slavery ( Otherwise known as the 'Reperations movement').

If they really cared, they would have sent money AND volunteers over there to break it up themselves. Or ask our government to break it up.

Instead, they send Jesse 'adulter' Jackson and a bunch of promises. And I don't believe that the NAACP has even made a public outcry about this. Instead, they're worried about slavery and civil rights. I just wish they would shut up and stop giving the racist exactly what they want - attention.
Posted by: Charles   2003-9-6 4:46:52 PM  

#6  He'll be severely punished for this won't he? Suuuuuuuuuure he will...
Posted by: tu3031   2003-9-6 1:37:44 PM  

#5  Old Patriot,

Which rebel faction be sponsored by the Bloods?
Will the be midnight basketball?

Honestly, Bill Clinton drafted Jesse Jackson to "handle" the developing unrest in Liberia. Jesse decided that America should befriend Taylor and assist his regime. I can't say that Liberia needs to much more help from the African-American community.
Posted by: Super Hose   2003-9-6 11:37:57 AM  

#4   $10 says France and Germany demands asks us to send 3/4 of the troops and half the bill, on top of demanding letting them plunder oversee the oil operations in Iraq.

There's a Rantburg Future if I ever saw one.
Posted by: Steve White   2003-9-6 11:25:50 AM  

#3  Liberia was founded by people in the United States as a homeland for freed slaves and others that wanted to return to Africa. I think it's about time the black community in the United States began supporting their brothers in Africa. There are hundreds of black rap stars, movie stars, basketball, football, and baseball players, all of which have very large incomes. There are hundreds of black churches in America. I'm sure one or more of them could 'adopt' a village in Liberia, and make substantial improvements for those living there. If others want to help out, let them. We are a generous people, but I'm tired of being robbed to support a crooked government (the United Nations) and its millions of ways to siphon money away from those that really need it. A one-on-one grassroots program will do far more good than another UN Fiasco ™.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2003-9-6 10:29:44 AM  

#2  I sad that he looted the treasuree and only came up with $3M. Liberia should look at some non-traditional ways to generate revenue like:

1. Asking for other countries to donate old video cameras. Their citizens could then begin mass submissions to Funniest Home Videos. Odds are there some pretty funny stuff happening on their unrepaired roads as many of their vehicles don't look well maintained.
2. Ask for donations of plywood and shopping carts so that they can found a new "Extreme" sport that they can then market to ESPN.
3. Challenge Nigeria for leadership in the bogus E-mail scam market.
Posted by: Super Hose   2003-9-6 9:16:08 AM  

#1  " And who will have the key? "

" I will, of course! I also request a private jet for...... traveling purposes. "

$10 says France and Germany demands asks us to send 3/4 of the troops and half the bill, on top of demanding letting them plunder oversee the oil operations in Iraq.
Posted by: Charles   2003-9-6 2:40:02 AM  

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