Prague has already received the text of a bill Washington has drawn up, and the government is soon to discuss it, the official, Jana Zechmeisterova, said.

A second round of talks is scheduled for May 22 in the Czech foreign ministry, according to the CTK agency, citing that ministry's spokeswoman.

Those negotiations will look at another accord covering the construction, maintenance, functioning and security of a targeting radar that will be the key component of the shield in the country.

A further round will be held "probably in July, in the United States," the spokeswoman, Zuzana Opletalova, said.

Under the plan, the United States would use the radar and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland to knock out incoming missiles threatening Western Europe. Washington says the system is primarily aimed at "rogue states" such as Iran and at extremists who might use missiles.

Russia, though, has balked at the idea, calling it a threat to global security.

President Vladimir Putin has said it would increase the risk of nuclear war and accused Washington of misrepresenting its aims. He has also announced the suspension of Moscow's participation in the Soviet-era Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, which caps the deployment of certain military equipment.

More than two-thirds of Czechs are opposed to the installation of the targeting radar, according to a recent survey.

US President George W. Bush is expected to argue for the system when he makes a visit to Prague in June.

earlier related report
US, Montenegro sign defense, troop immunity pacts
Washington (AFP) May 1 - The United States signed a defense pact Tuesday with Montenegro that could open the way for the deployment of US forces to the young Balkan republic -- a step likely to fuel tensions with Russia. The Status of Forces Agreement was signed by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, who was making his first official visit to Washington since his nation broke from Serbia and gained independence in 2006.

Rice said the agreement "establishes a basis for United States military personnel to operate in Montenegro for mutually agreed activities."

"Mr. President, we share your aspirations for a Euro-Atlantic future for Montenegro and the United States and Montenegro are working towards that goal," she said during a joint press conference with Vujanovic.

The State Department revealed Monday that the two governments had also signed last month a so-called "Article 98" agreement, a controversial bilateral immunity deal that would shield US troops and nationals stationed in Montenegro from possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The United States has signed Article 98 agreements with more than 100 countries despite questions about the international legality of the pacts.

Vujanovic said he hoped the agreement with the United States would enhance his country's image as a "safe environment" for foreign investment.

Montenegro broke away from an alliance with Serbia following a referendum vote for independence in May 2006.

The prospect of US troops deploying to the Balkan nation is likely to add fuel to a growing dispute with Russia over the expansion of NATO into former Soviet bloc countries in eastern Europe and bilateral deals placing US forces in the region.

Russia President Vladimir Putin announced last week that Moscow was suspending its compliance with a key East-West treaty on conventional forces in Europe in protest at the moves and at US plans to station anti-missile interceptor bases in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also lashed out at his NATO counterparts over the alliance's expansion during a meeting Thursday in Oslo.

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