Castro arrives in Dominican Republic
 

                  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Cuban
                  President Fidel Castro arrived in the Dominican Republic on Thursday for a
                  summit of Caribbean leaders and a state visit.

                  Castro was greeted by Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez as
                  he stepped off the Cubana de Aviacion Tupolev airliner which brought him
                  from Havana.

                  The 72-year-old revolutionary, who has ruled Cuba for nearly 40 years, was
                  wearing his trademark combat fatigues and peaked cap.

                  It is Castro's first visit to the neighbouring country. Diplomatic ties, cut off
                  since 1962, were restored last April. His two-day state visit beginning on
                  Sunday is preceded by a Caribbean Forum (Cariforum) meeting on the
                  regional bloc's position in upcoming negotiations with the European Union on
                  a successor to the Lome Convention on trade.

                  Cuba, which is seeking stronger alliances with its Caribbean neighbours, is
                  attending as an observer.