A United Nations’ request yesterday to allow the international body to expand its Manhattan building was met by an undiplomatic response from critics in Albany.

A state bill is required for the U.N. to renovate its 52-year-old building and erect a 35-story companion structure next door. But the bill that had quietly gained the favor of legislative leaders and Governor Pataki was withdrawn from the Senate agenda yesterday under withering attack and just before it had been expected to pass.

“Why this city or state would want to do anything for the U.N. is beyond me,” said state Senator Martin Golden, a Brooklyn Republican. He cited the U.N.’s oil-for-food program, which is being investigated by Congress for alleged corruption, including reports that Saddam Hussein manipulated the $60 billion program.

“If this was Enron …we would be taking these people out in cuffs,” Mr. Golden said in an interview. He said he expects to derail the U.N. expansion project because, now that the issue is public, people will oppose the help because the United Nations has refused to join America in fighting the Iraq war.

Senate Majority spokesman Mark Hansen said the bill is expected to be back on the Senate floor in December. The Assembly is expected to pass the measure next month.

The United Nations Development Corp. referred questions about the Senate action to the New York City Economic Development Corp. A spokeswoman there said she didn’t immediately know what the U.N. would do if the Legislature failed to approve the measure.

State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long offered an alternative for what he called the “corrupt” organization: “We should be considering moving the United Nations to France.”

The expansion proposal is favored by state legislative leaders and Mr. Pataki.

“This bill that there is agreement on,” said Manhattan Democratic Assemblyman Steven Sanders, “would allow the United Nations Development Corp. to proceed with a planning process.”