GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - Caribbean leaders will hold talks with Cuban President Fidel Castro on regional co-operation in health care and disaster preparedness when they meet at a one-day summit next month, an official said yesterday.

The December 8 summit in Barbados follows an agreement signed by the 15-nation Caribbean Community and Cuba in Havana in 2002, during celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, said Caribbean Community Secretary-General Edwin Carrington.

Cuba, with financial co-operation from Venezuela, started providing free eye care to Caribbean patients in July. More than 5,000 people from 10 countries have been treated.

Hundreds of Cuban doctors, and medical technicians are working in several Caribbean countries. Nearly 1,200 Caribbean students have scholarships to study at Cuban universities.

Carrington said the leaders also plan to discuss how a recently formed Cuban emergency disaster brigade can be adapted to the needs of their countries, often severely affected by hurricanes.

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