Cuban News Agency

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Granma newspaper says the nomination was announced Monday by the Cuban
Academy of Language, which is among special guests by the Foundation
sponsoring the annual award offered by Spain.

The Cuban Academy based its proposal, unanimously approved by the members
of the institution and its president Roberto Fernandez Retamar, on the
fact that the brigade has been leading an intense work in Haiti since
1998, following heavy hurricanes, a devastating earthquake and a cholera
epidemic that hitted the neighbouring country.

The Prince of Asturias Prize was established on 24 September, 1980 by the
Prince of Asturias, heir to the throne of Spain, to contribute to
encouraging and promoting scientific, cultural and humanistic values that
form part of mankind's universal heritage.

The awards are presented in Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of
Asturias, at a ceremony presided by Felipe, Prince of Asturias. A
sculpture, expressly created for the prize by Spanish sculptor Joan Miró,
is presented yearly to the recipients of the prize.