The United States said on Monday that its plan to develop missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic was aimed at "irresponsible states" rather than Russia.

"It's not aimed at Russia, it's aimed at those irresponsible states that may possess these technologies that could threaten our friends and allies, that could threaten the United States," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said of a proposal to set up anti-missile bases in the former Warsaw Pact states.

"We are open to missile defense cooperation with Russia, so it's not meant to exclude Russia," McCormack told reporters.

McCormack made the remarks soon after a senior Russian official criticized the U.S. proposal to install part of its missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

"Our analysis shows that the placement of a radar station in the Czech Republic and an anti-missile position in Poland would create a clear threat for Russia," said Russian General Vladimir Popovkin, chief of the military's Space Forces.

The United States plans to deploy a missile defense radar in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland. The operation is going to start in 2011 and the location of the base would be decided early this year. Washington is also to make the final decision on the operation early this year.

It was reported that in the coming two weeks the United States would present Poland the details of a proposal to build an anti-missile shield in Poland.

The United States made a formal offer to the Czech Republic and wants to open talks with Poland on the shield.

A protestor holds up placard reading "against U.S. military base" during a rally in Prague, capital of Czech on Jan. 21, 2007. Around 150 people rallied in the center of Prague on Sunday to protest against the possible location of a U.S. missile defense base in the Czech Republic. (Xinhua Photo)

Editor: Yan