Russia accused U.S. diplomats Thursday of having the worst driving records of the Moscow diplomatic corps, and pledged to pursue possible charges against an embassy official who struck and seriously injured a pedestrian.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Valery Nesterushkin said U.S. Embassy officials had committed 141 traffic violations this year, more than any other embassy.
"With all seriousness we call on the authorities of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and request them to take urgent measures for improving the situation," Nesterushkin said in a statement.
He made the remarks in the aftermath of traffic accident Monday in which a U.S. political attach? struck a woman pedestrian, who suffered a serious head injury.
The diplomat, Matthew Bryza, 33, was recalled to Washington because he "was no longer in a position to effectively function in Moscow," said State Department spokesman James Rubin. Bryza left Russia on Wednesday.
Embassy spokesman Richard Hoagland said the charges of bad driving should be considered in context.
"We're one of the largest embassies in the world, and we receive notice of traffic violations that include dirty license plates," he said. "I would encourage people to keep this in proportion."
U.S. officials have said the Russians have made no request for a waiver of diplomatic immunity in the Bryza case. Such a request would usually signal intent to pursue criminal charges. But Nesterushkin said Russian authorities plan to proceed with the investigation.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Valery Nesterushkin said U.S. Embassy officials had committed 141 traffic violations this year, more than any other embassy.
"With all seriousness we call on the authorities of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and request them to take urgent measures for improving the situation," Nesterushkin said in a statement.
He made the remarks in the aftermath of traffic accident Monday in which a U.S. political attach? struck a woman pedestrian, who suffered a serious head injury.
The diplomat, Matthew Bryza, 33, was recalled to Washington because he "was no longer in a position to effectively function in Moscow," said State Department spokesman James Rubin. Bryza left Russia on Wednesday.
Embassy spokesman Richard Hoagland said the charges of bad driving should be considered in context.
"We're one of the largest embassies in the world, and we receive notice of traffic violations that include dirty license plates," he said. "I would encourage people to keep this in proportion."
U.S. officials have said the Russians have made no request for a waiver of diplomatic immunity in the Bryza case. Such a request would usually signal intent to pursue criminal charges. But Nesterushkin said Russian authorities plan to proceed with the investigation.