TEHRAN The U.S. House of Representatives last week voted to condition the final 244 million dollars payment of arrears due the United Nations until the U.S. regains its seat in the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

The United States was struck two severe blows last week when it was voted out of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations after 54 years of continuous and unopposed membership and the International Narcotics Control Board. The seats were given to European Union (EU) members. The ousters indicate just how much the world values the American contribution in these areas.

Just how the U.S. Senate will vote remains to be seen. President Bush has appointed a new U.S. ambassador to the world body. His confirmation by the Senate will undoubtedly leave him the job of continuing negotiations started by former U.S. ambassador Richard Holbrooke on the U.S. condition for paying unpaid dues to the UN.

The message that is conveyed to members of the world body is a clear signal of the American concept of democracy -- payment for votes. America is used to thinking that it can behave in international organizations the way it likes to and get what it wants by threats, bullying, money or bribes.

Fortunately, those worn-out tactics and schemes no longer work in a modern world, much less intimidate other nations. America does not have a permanent right to membership in the various commissions of the United Nations Organization. Members each have one vote and they are at liberty to give this to whichever country they think is fit to do the job. The United States government must learn from its recent experience and rethink its ineffective, hegemonic and bullying policies. Otherwise, it will find itself getting more and more rebuffed in the world body.