Monrovia — Members of the United Nations Panel of Experts have initiated discussions with  Government to recover assets worth over US100 millions taken from here and lodged abroad, a confidential document has revealed.

The document, which highlights a meeting between Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Mr. Thomas R. Creal, a senior member of the Panel of Experts on the Sanction Committee on Liberia, lists several foreigners who operated businesses here during the reign of Mr. Charles Taylor as individuals who rubbed the country of millions.

The experts have hinted that the US Justice Department is willing to prosecute these individuals, recommending that government pursued legal actions in American courts.
“...in the last tow months, Switzerland is cooperating fully and willing to help government recover some of these assets. The US Justice Department is willing to prosecute and it is legally possible that actions be pursued in American Courts.” they said.

They have therefore advised that the Government initiate Court actions for damages done here, with President Sirleaf’s full support.
The foreign individuals listed are Victor Bout, currently serving a jail sentence in Thailand. It is alleged that he rubbed Liberia out of millions. The US and Russian governments are said to be seeking his extradition to be tried in their courts respectively. His assets are said to be in Banks in Switzerland.
Joseph Wong, currently living in Singapore has assets of millions which he rubbed Liberia out of. Experts say he may be willing and ready to settle out of court.
Gus Kowenhoven, currently de-listed from the UN assets freeze list and travel ban, has millions of dollar in Swiss Bank. Experts say it is known internationally that Gus carried out several acts against Liberia and could be held in courts of Law for damages.
Sanjivan Ruprah, presently living in South Africa, has assets in millions which he rubbed Liberia out off.
Mohammed Salame, has over 1 1/2 millions of dollars which he reportedly rubbed from Liberia.

The documents further revealed that ex-president Charles Taylor has over US5-6 millions in assets, all in the names of friends in Swiss and other Banks.
“As a means to provide technical assistance to the Republic of Liberia for the purpose of recovering stolen monies during the Taylor regime and in the spirit of furthering UN Resolution 1532, paragraph 6, the Panel of Experts, especially the Finance Experts and selected others are capable and willing to provide the necessary expertise and resources for an asset recovery effort.

The initial focus will be directed towards the former alter ego’s of Taylor for claims of hundreds of millions of dollars. People such as Joseph Wong, Victor Bout, Gus Kowenhoven, Snjivan Ruprah, Mohammed Salame, etc, and Charles Taylor individually, who collectively have caused billions of dollars in damages to Liberia. Any similar type of action against Liberians except Charles Taylor shall require further approval,” the document said.
The document stated that funding for such effort will be provided by the contractors. But added that in exchange for the full funding the contractors shall be entitled to a first lien against all recoveries plus 15% performance bonus fee based on gross recoveries.

“Whatever monies are recovered, Government indicates its commitment, in order to meet all relevant costs and allow at least 50% of net proceed to be used to strengthen its security, architecture, particularly the police and rule of law.” the experts suggested.-Othello B. Garblah