The Georgian diplomat blamed for a fatal car crash in Washington has a history of drunken driving, President Eduard Shevardnadze disclosed Monday.
Shevardnadze has said that if U.S. investigators find sufficient evidence against the official, he is prepared to waive diplomatic immunity for Gueorgui Makharadze, the No. 2 envoy at the Georgian Embassy in Washington."My decision is tough, but I think it's fair and correct," Shevardnadze said in his regular radio address Monday.
"I regret to say he was also involved in other serious (traffic) violations. According to my information, he was fined three times for drunk driving," Shevardnadze said.
It was unclear where Makharadze's previous violations occurred.
Police say Makharadze may have been going as fast as 80 mph near Washington's Embassy Row when he was involved in a five-car crash Jan. 4 that killed 16-year-old Jovianne Waltrick of Kensington, Md. Police have said the accident may have been alcohol-related.
U.S. prosecutors have said Makharadze could be charged with negligent homicide or second-degree murder.
"When the investigation is over, we'll be able to make a conclusion on the degree of his guilt," Shevardnadze said.
As a diplomat, Makharadze has immunity from prosecution, but the United States asked Georgia to waive it.
"For me, the moral aspect of the matter is more important than any conventions and agreements under which diplomats are entitled to privileges," said Shevardnadze, a former Soviet foreign minister.
Over the weekend, Shevardnadze issued a statement saying it was time to rethink the entire system of diplomatic immunity.