NEVER ONE TO CURRY FAVOR

Vladimir Zhirinovskywas only in India for three days, but he won't soon be forgotten. The Russian nationalist ended his visit today by calling the magnificent 17th century Taj Mahal a "monument that reminds husbands to indulge in corruption so that they can build their Taj Mahal for their wives." At aphoto-opat the mausoleum yesterday, Zhirinovsky reclined in a marble niche, Roman style, and invited photographers to click away. He capped off the tour this morning by suggesting that India annex Pakistan and Bangladesh, then presenting a bottle of Russian vodka to a top Indian minister, who by law is forbidden to drink in public.