Iranian Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel on Sunday criticized the UN nuclear watchdog as "discriminatory", the official IRNA News Agency reported. 

"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is discriminatory in its approach towards the nuclear cases of Iran and South Korea, which will damage its reputation," Adel was quoted as saying.

"It is not only surprising but also disappointing that South Korea's dossier was closed upon the United States' request but are solution on Iran is discussed word for word," Adel said.

"What is the use of the agency if it cannot defend the right of countries to conduct nuclear activities for peaceful ends as guaranteed in its articles?" Adel said.

The IAEA Board of Governors on Thursday kicked off a meeting in Vienna to discuss the nuclear issues of Iran and South Korea. During the session, Iran and the European Union have been engaged to a new round of negotiation over a draft resolution on Iran's nuclear case.

The European trio of France, Germany and Britain on Monday presented the draft resolution to the IAEA, which was criticized and rejected by Iran.

Adel further noted that the resolution proposed by the European trio had been amended for the second time and is still being discussed by Iran and European negotiators in Vienna.

"Majlis insists on the country's legal right to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful aims while taking due cognizance of the concerns of European states and the IAEA," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2004)