Money shortage impedes investigation for Charles Taylor's funds: US official

MONROVIA, Liberia – Stephen Rapp, United States Ambassador for War Crimes, said a lack of resources impedes the tracing of millions of dollars allegedly stolen by former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who was recently sentenced to 50 years for war crimes in neighboring Sierra Leone.

Rapp told the Associated Press that the special court does not have the funds to trace Taylor's assets but some investigations will be done by the United Nations' Sanctions Committee.

Taylor was convicted of exchanging guns for diamonds with Sierra Leone's RUF rebels.

Rapp said the Sanctions Committee succeeded in freezing $700 million of Taylor's funds.

Rapp said there are calls for a war crimes court in Liberia. That would create difficulties because some of those who committed atrocities in Liberia are now in key governmental positions.