  The emission of axions from supernovae is an interesting possibility to
account for the Gamma-Ray Bursts provided their energy can be effectively
converted into electromagnetic energy elsewhere. The connection between
supernova and gamma-ray bursts has been recently confirmed by the observed
correlation between the burst of April 25, 1998 and the supernova SN1998bw. We
argue that the axion convertion into photons can be more efficient if one
considers the coupling between an intermediate scale axion and the string
theory dilaton along with the inclusion of string loops. We also discuss the
way dilaton dynamics may allow for a more effective energy exchange with
electromagnetic radiation in the expansion process of fireballs.
