Latin American Briefs
.c The Associated Press
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - Cuban President Fidel Castro will visit the Dominican Republic for the first time for a regional trade meeting in August, diplomats said Monday.
The visit is the latest sign of warming relations between the two Caribbean countries, which normalized diplomatic relations in April after 37 years of animosity.
During the visit, Castro will attend a meeting of the Caribbean Community, a trade group whose 15 members have become increasingly friendly to Cuba.
The communist island has been lobbying heavily for membership in regional trade groups. Last week it was granted observer status in the Caribbean Forum, former European colonies that receive trade benefits from the European Union.
The Dominican Republic suspended relations with Cuba in 1961 to protest its communist government and formally severed diplomatic ties in 1964.
AP-NY-05-25-98 2043EDT