Not Fade Away

BUENOS AIRES: Deposed Ecuadorian president/showman Abdala Bucaram is simply not ready to fade to black. The dancing, singing "El Loco" is in Argentina, trying to wrangle some support from president Carlos Menem, but his chances arent good. Earlier this week, Menem had advised his ambassador in Quito not to attend new president Alarcon's swearing-in ceremony, accusing Ecuador's Congress of acting inappropriately in sacking Bucaram. But with Alarcon in place and Ecuador at peace, Menem's loyalty to his friend seemed to fade with the concerns of state. Wednesday night, Menem issued a signed statement supporting Ecuador's democracy and conveniently omitting any mention of Bucaram.