WASHINGTON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- If the Pentagon can convince Poland and the Czech Republic to host U.S. missile defense systems,it doesn't need approval from the U.S. Congress to install them, aPentagon official said.

    The official, Brian Green, a deputy assistant defense secretary,told a Senate subcommittee so Wednesday, according to a report from the website of Defense News Thursday.

    The Pentagon's plan to place 10 ground-based interceptor missiles in Poland and a midcourse radar in the Czech Republic mayneed approval from the legislatures of host nations, but it doesn't need specific approval from the one at home, said Green.

    But Senate officials pointed out that the Pentagon will need Congress's consent in the form of funding for the missile defense systems.

    The question of congressional permission comes amid growing controversy in Europe over the proposed missile installation.

    Russia, in particular, opposes it and has hinted that installing a missile defense system could spark a new arms race.

    Green and other U.S. defense officials insist the missile shield is not intended to protect against Russian missiles, but isaimed at a future threat posed by long-range Iranian missiles.¡¡