BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO: WORST CITY IN THE WORLD?

BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO: WORST CITY IN THE WORLD?

NEW YORK (Wireless Flash) þ The African nation of Congo is in dire need of a good public relations firm: The country has just been selected as home to the two worst cities in the world. According to a survey of 218 metropolitan areas by the William M. Mercer Companies, Congo's two biggest cities -- Pointe Noire and Brazzaville -- rank at the bottom of the list. Researchers say both towns receive low ratings because they lack basic services including personal protection, sanitation and other comforts. Officials at the Congo embassy are pooh-poohing the report and claim the two cities are actually nice places to visit. A spokesperson says the low ranking may be due to the recent war, but a rebuilding program is currently underway to gussy up Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.