[DTA]

According to chart on DOS web site member of administrative and technical staff can not be prosecuted.

However, can VanGoethem face justice in U.S. for impaired driving causing manslaughter?

[twigs]

I believe that perps should be called to account in crimes. But if we send this man back, then we need to get an agreement that if their diplomatic staff is inolved in something criminal here, we get to keep them too for prosecution.

[Flightdeck]

He should face the music, if the report is accurate. I've heard this sort of thing happens every now and then in the Japan islands, and they always ship the marine home.

[freepy smurf]

Let's send them Bruce Springsteen and call it even.

[LibWhacker]

Yeah, right . . . Let's return him to be tried by Ceaucescu's thugs. Gimme a break.

I'll tell you what, when Romania has an unbroken 200 year history of freedom, democracy, respect for justice and the rights of man, then maybe we'll THINK about it.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Sucks when diplomatic immunity works for our guys (not condoning the Marine's actions if he was DUI).
Either drop it altogether or honor it, people. You can't have it both ways.

[rogue yam]

A couple of points:

The previous D.C. case involved a diplomat from Georgia (the country) who was snockered and killed a little girl. Georgia did the right thing and sent him back to face justice where he offended without immunity.

The present case is a HUGE deal in Romania and in particular Transylvania. I have friends there and everyone knows of the victim (they don't have all that many celebrities) and is disturbed by the appearance of American high-handedness.

An article yesterday (I'll go look for a link) said the Marine blew an .09 on the breath test. In Romania the legal limit is ZERO and having any blood alcohol content creates a presumption of liability in an accident. Everyone there is aware of this very draconian requirement of drivers.

There is some dispute over the blood test. Details I have seen so far have been contradictory.

Romania just had a fairly free and clean election a week ago Saturday. Rummy was there in October scouting potential bases. Romania has troops in Iraq. These are good Christian people who are our allies. Yes, they have problems with corruption but in many ways things are at least heading in the right direction.

The Department of State and the U.S.M.C. need to step up to the plate on this one and quick. This Marine should be treated fairly and should not be punished more harshly because he is American, because he is a Marine, or because his victim is a celebrity. If he is sentenced to jail he should not be mistreated while he is incarcerated.

But it is my opinion that when you are in someone else's country you obey their laws or you face their justice. I see no reason so far why this case is any exception.

Don't drive drunk.

[Chieftain]

Jim, does your wife know about this?

[Hot Tabasco]

I had a similar situation only I didn't kill anyone back in 1970 when stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. If it weren't for the JAG's office I would probably still be sitting in a cell in Panama. Normally I wouldn't have much of a problem with the accusation but experience tells me that this soldier would not have received the same judicial treatment as a native.

Best leave this sad situation up to the JAG and the insurance company........