דיפלאמאט האט זיך אנגע'שיכור'ט

UNITED NATIONS (1010 WINS)  -- The United States asked Russia on Tuesday to waive the diplomatic immunity of a Russian diplomat so he can face felony charges for allegedly driving while drunk and hitting a police officer directing traffic on a busy Manhattan highway.

If Russia refuses to lift the immunity of Ilya Morozov, an attache at Russia's U.N. Mission, the United States will order him to leave the country ''for having abused the privilege of residence here,'' U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said.

The request for the U.S. to lift Morozov's immunity came from Marjorie Tiven, who heads the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol. She informed Bolton that police want Morozov to face charges including felony assault on a police officer and operating a vehicle with abilities impaired by alcohol.

The spokeswoman for the Russian Mission, Maria Zakharova, was not immediately available for comment.

The accident occurred Saturday night when the car swerved around traffic cones set up because of construction at East 108th Street and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive, the main highway that runs down the east side of Manhattan, police spokeswoman Officer Kathleen Price said.

Police officials did not release the officer's name. They identified him only as a highway officer who was treated at the hospital for a sprained knee and released.

Morozov was taken into custody but was eligible for diplomatic immunity and was not charged criminally, police said Sunday. Police issued seven traffic tickets, including speeding in a posted work zone and driving while impaired by alcohol.

Zakharova said Sunday that Morozov accidentally entered the area, which usually is open for driving, but didn't hit the officer.

In a letter to Tiven on Tuesday, Bolton said the U.S. Mission ''considers alcohol related offenses to be a very serious threat to public safety.''

''I am particularly sorry that a New York City police officer was injured by Mr. Morozov's alleged behavior on the evening of April 22, and would ask that you send ... my best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery,'' Bolton said.

''We have sent the permanent mission of the Russian Federation a diplomatic note requesting that the Russians waive Mr. Morozov's immunity,'' he said.