The Mayor of Ecuador's biggest city has found the solution to what he believes are stupid time-wasting questions from annoying journalists.

In protest at their "undesirable questions" Jaime Negot, Mayor of Guayaquil, has appointed a parrot as his official spokesman.

Mr. Nebot, who has come in for heavy criticism from the press and public for his social security policies, introduced his new feathered friend and latest employee at a press conference.

Explaining the appointment, he said the parrot would be in charge of all the undesirable questions that he has no time to answer.

"Some people only talk nonsense to me, so the parrot will answer back in the same way. I need to use my time for work."

- October 24, 2003