Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk (r) and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, 03 Jul 2008

Polish officials are downplaying reports that they have reachedagreement with the U.S. on plans to base part of an American missileshield in Poland.

U.S. officials said Wednesday they havereached a tentative deal on the plans. But Poland's defense minister,Bogdan Klich, said Thursday that negotiations were still ongoing, andthat no firm agreement has been reached.

Polish officials sayPrime Minister Donald Tusk and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney willdiscuss the plans during a telephone call Thursday night.

Any agreement on the missile shield still will need final approval from the Polish government in Warsaw.

TheU.S. wants to base 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar systemin the Czech Republic, as part of a system to counter missile attacksfrom hostile states.

Russia has strongly opposed the plans asa threat to its security, although the United States says the system isintended for use against Iranian missiles, and not for use againstRussia.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and Reuters.