Havana Medical School Sees First Grads

[Eugene]

Havana Medical School Sees First Grads


Sunday August 21, 2005 3:01 AM

By VANESSA ARRINGTON

Associated Press Writer

HAVANA (AP) - A Latin American medical school created as a regional
initiative in 1998 after two hurricanes devastated Caribbean and
Central American nations graduated its first class on Saturday.

Students at the school come from Latin American, Africa and the
United States. Most come from low-income families and receive a free
education on the condition they return home to serve their communities
after graduation.

On Saturday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuban President
Fidel Castro - who have become close allies as they stake their
leadership on opposition to the United States - handed out diplomas
to several of the 1,500 graduates.

"This graduation was just a dream nearly seven years ago," Castro
said at the ceremony. "Today is proof of the capacity of human beings
to reach the most lofty goals."

The leaders of Panama and several Caribbean nations also attended
the graduation.

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5223435,00.html