Military

DATE=5/28/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-290271

TITLE=NATO - RUSSIA SUMMIT (S)

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=PRATICA DI MARE, ITALY

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: NATO has welcomed its former Cold War enemy, Russia, into a new partnership that is aimed at increasing cooperation in fighting terrorism and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. V-O-A correspondent Roger Wilkison reports from an Italian airbase near Rome, where the leaders of Russia and the 19 NATO countries brought a new NATO-Russia Council into existence.

TEXT: Addressing his colleagues at the summit, President Bush seemed to echo the feeling expressed by a NATO official that Russia's new alliance with the organization is the ultimate funeral for the Cold War.

/// BUSH ACT ///

Two former foes are now joined as partners, overcoming 50 years of division and a decade of uncertainty.

/// END ACT ///

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin said this is only the beginning of his country's new role of closer cooperation with the West.

The NATO-Russia Council will give Russia an equal voice with other alliance members in jointly setting policies to combat the new threats of terrorism and the proliferation of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.

NATO Secretary General George Robertson says the Council represents the hope of a better, saner future. He says he hopes it will not just deliberate but take decisive action because -- in his words -- there is a common enemy out there. (Signed)

NEB/RW/KL