U.N. SEAT LOSS IRKS OFFICIALS.(MAIN)

Byline: DAVID E. SANGER New York Times

WASHINGTON -- Administration and congressional officials expressed anger Tuesday at the United Nations for the loss of a U.S. seat on the Human Rights Commission, and influential Republicans and Democrats in the House threatened to hold back $244 million in dues to the organization if the U.S. seat is not restored next year.

In a telephone interview Tuesday evening, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell acknowledged that U.S. officials had been taken by surprise by members of the U.N. Economic and Social Council who voted the United States off the panel in a secret ballot last week. ``One thing I can guarantee you is that …