MOSCOW Russian Deputy Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeny Reshetnikov on Monday rejected Western media reports that Russian experts have withdrawn from Bushehr Power Plant, Interfax news agency said.

Reshetnikov said that Russia is going ahead with completing the power plant and all stages of the executive works are on schedule adding that the first unit of the power plant will come on stream by the end of 2003.

He also ruled out speculations aired on Moscow-based radio, Echo on financial dispute between Iran and Russia over possible delay of Iran's payment.

Reshetnikov said that Iran has been prompt in terms of payment for the plant and all executive works are going well.

The nuclear power plant is under construction in the southern port city of Bushehr, IRNA quoted him as saying.

Iran and Russia have acknowledged their commitment to peaceful application of nuclear energy.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is monitoring the nuclear technology being employed in Bushehr Power plant.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Assefi denied the report.