
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 30, 1993                   TAG: 9310290202
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-12   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

GUATEMALAN REFUGEE TO SPEAK AT RADFORD

Carlos Choc Caal, a 34-year-old Guatemalan refugee who is touring the Southeast to gain support for the return of fellow refugees to their native country, will speak Monday at 6:30 p.m. at a beans and rice dinner at Radford Presbyterian Church.

Caal, who is of Mayan descent, will discuss the plight of 200,000 Guatemalan refugees who fled their homeland 10 years ago to escape the effects of a government counterinsurgency campaign. More than 46,000 refugees have been living in exile in U.N.-sponsored camps in southern Mexico, while another 150,000 have settled elsewhere in Mexico and the United States.

Caal was elected a permanent commissioner by refugees in his camp in Yucatan, Mexico, to represent them in negotiations to return the refugees to Guatemala sometime next year.

Witness for Peace is sponsoring Caal's U.S. tour. His appearance Monday is sponsored by the Central American Solidarity Committee.

There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome.

For more information, call Doris Hendrickson, 639-0978.

by CNB