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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?
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.
"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 |
Posted by: Charles 2003-9-6 2:40:02 AM |