Seventy percent of the world's container ships fly Liberia's star and striped banner under a so-called "flag of convenience" arrangement that lowers shipping lines' taxes. Diplomats say that brings Liberia about US$24 million annually.
"Which bank account is that money going into? We'll need to figure that out," Jacques Klein, an American serving as the UN envoy to Liberia, told reporters.
Klein said he was checking into rumors that Taylor also left for Nigeria with US$3 million meant for disarmament in Liberia. The money was allegedly given to him by an unnamed Asian nation.
"For someone who's stolen hundreds of millions, what's a couple of million more?" Klein said. "There's nothing left in the treasury of Liberia, and that's going to be a major problem as we try to rebuild the country."
How much the country's mineral and natural reserves netted Taylor's government may never be known. One businessman said anyone who spoke about Taylor's take from gold and diamonds might not live long.
For years, Liberians watched Taylor accrue lavish mansions and plantations. With Taylor's forces specializing in torture and summary execution, according to rights groups, few dared speak out -- or even dared say Taylor's name. With Taylor gone, they're starting to.
"We're endowed with such great resources," says Philip Wesseh, publisher of Liberia's The Inquirer newspaper. "It's in the way it is managed. We shouldn't be a poor country," Wesseh says.
According to a EU study, Liberia took in about US$172 million in revenues in 2002. That year, the government had budgeted expenditures of US$62 million -- but never received even 45 percent of that amount, according to the study.
"Where the balance went, we don't know," says Rudd. Taylor refused outside audits of government ledgers.
It is not known how much money is in Taylor's bank accounts in Switzerland, although guesses range from only a few million US dollars to US$1 billion.
Switzerland promised in June to freeze all of the assets linked to the indicted war-crimes suspect, who likewise was the target of UN arms, travel and timber sanctions.
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