WASHINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The United States said Monday that it is nearing a deal with the Czech Republic to install a radar¹ base in the country as part of the missile shield in the East Europe.

Negotiations² with the Czech Republic over the missile shield could be wrapped up within days, said John Rood, State Department's undersecretary for arms control and international security.

As to negotiations with Poland, Rood said he is also optimistic. "Although there are still some important issues to be resolved in the negotiations, I don't see any insurmountable obstacles," he said.

The United States plans to base missile interceptors in Poland and radar units in the Czech Republic as part of a project to extend the missile defense³ system to Europe. The United States claims that the missile defense system is aimed at states and groups in the Middle East that are seeking weapons of mass destruction.

Russia has voiced opposition⁴ over the plan and said the plan poses threat to its strategic interests.