RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN SIGNS NATO TREATY IN PRATICA DI MARE NEAR ROME, 2002-05-28 (photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a landmark treaty at the NATO-Russia Council in Practica de Mare near Rome May 28, 2002. NATO set the seal on a new era of security cooperation with former foe Russia on Tuesday, rewarding President Putin for embracing the West and backing the U.S.-led war on terrorism. The treaty gives Russia an equal voice at alliance meetings that set policy on counterterrorism, tactical missile defense, peacekeeping and management of regional crises, civil defense, search-and-rescue at sea, military cooperation, arms control, and controlling the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay WR/CRB