Diplomatic immunity for Bolton?

[KnaveRupe]

Here's a question for those legally knowledgeable:

Does the US ambassador to the United Nations receive any of the diplomatic protections afforded to ambassadors from other nations, even though the UN headquarters is located in the US?

In particular, I'm looking at the fact that under the protections afforded to diplomats, ambassadors cannot be subpoenaed to testify as witnesses. (see chart at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomatic_immunity )

I know that diplomatic immunity shields foreign diplomats from the laws of the host country; but is an American diplomat to the UN still subject to the laws of the United States while at the UN headquarters?

My admittedly limited internet research skills have turned up no answer to this question, so I'm throwing it open to the masses. It would explain why they are so desperate to get Bolton posted as the UN Ambassador, so much so that they are once again considering a recess appointment.

[punpirate]

1. No, don't think so...

... he serves at the pleasure of the President and Congress. He's still beholden to his own government--and is sworn to uphold the Constitution, whether by recess appointment or by nomination. Failure to do so makes him subject to the laws of the United States.

[democracyindanger]

2. Diplomatic immunity is for foreign diplomats only.

Besides, there are plenty of other simpler ways to keep Bolton from testifying about something, not the least of which would be taking the 5th.

[Inland]

3. The home country can always punish it's own

so Bolton will have to pay his parking tickets.

[Totally Committed]

4. But, he would enjoy Diplomatic Immunity...

in other countries as the UN Ambassador.

I have been trying to think of a reason for Bush to be pushing him so hard <1>beside the obvious one -- the nomination of someone that will actively seek to kill the UN -- and maybe Bolton needs Diplomatic Immunity in another country, for some reason. Maybe the Bushies see another scandal coming down the pike at them, and are trying to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak...?

It could be!

TC