Iceland will not deport Fischer
Mr. David Oddsson (picture left), Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed
the American Ambassador to Iceland, Mr. James I. Gadsden, that Mr. Fischer
will not be deported to the US on charges of having played chess in a country
which no longer exists, especially since he is now an Icelander.

David Oddsson, Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs
Furthermore Mr. Fischer has been warned by Iceland's Chief of Police, not
to travel aboard, because of deportation claims from the US in various European
Countries.
Fischer on 60 Minutes?
The US TV channel CBS News has contacted supporters of Bobby Fischer in Iceland
to prepare a “60 Minutes” program on Bobby Fischer. The programme would be
filmed this spring if the project goes ahead.
Fischer cartoons

Fischer cartoon by Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria

Corky Trinidad, The Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Police Said to Have Obeyed News Editor’s Instructions Because of Misunderstanding
The RJF Committee has released an announcement stating that the reception
ceremony for Bobby Fischer upon his arrival in Iceland went awry due to the
interference of the Channel 2 news editor. The announcement goes on to say
that it must be utterly unprecedented that a member of the press should take
the affair out of the hands of the organizers and steer the course of events
in order to monopolize press coverage of such an occasion. The announcement,
sent to the Morgunbladid Online News Desk by Einar S. Einarsson, former chairman
of the Icelandic Chess Federation, appears below in its entirety:
As your reporters and other spectators noticed, the reception
ceremony for the arrival of Bobby Fischer and his fiancée, Miyoko Watai,
unfortunately careened out of control due to the interference of the Channel
2 news editor, Páll Magnússon. Parties on behalf of Channel 2 covered the expense
of the private jet that brought Fischer to Iceland.
It must be utterly
unprecedented that a member of the press should take such an affair out of
the hands of the organizers and steer the course of events in order to monopolize
press coverage of it.
Fischer was told to stride right by his supporters in the reception committee
and straight to a car that stood at the ready, not far from the plane, so that
other reporters, photographers, and television stations were able to take very
few pictures of him as he stepped onto Icelandic soil. He and his party were
then driven away and taken on a short drive through the neighborhood.
Ranking police
officer Geir Jón Thórisson and his staff had roped off the reception area with
yellow tape and had made all the necessary preparations so that the reception
would go smoothly. But then, when the plane had landed, everything took a different
course than expected because Geir Jón misunderstood the situation and took
orders from the news editor of Channel 2 (the underwriters of the flight) and
not from the RJF Committee, which had worked to free Fischer and had arranged
both for his coming to the country and for a small reception without speeches.

Icelandic police officer Geir Jón Thórisson
After having boarded the plane with the customs officers, Geir Jón returned
with the message that Fischer was so exhausted that he didn’t feel up to shaking
the hands of the seven of us who were waiting to welcome him on behalf of the
government authorities who had granted him citizenship.

RJF Committee members Saemi Palsson and Einar S. Einarsson
Then, when Fischer disembarked from the plane, who else but a Channel 2 reporter
comes charging forth, right past the police and straight up to Fischer, and
begins asking the “exhausted” traveler questions. When that happened, the well-organized
reception plans dissolved into chaos. More people ran into the roped-off area,
and soon the police couldn’t control the crowd.

Fischer being bundled away by Channel 2 TV at Reykjavik
Airport
The reception committee had planned to present Fischer with his Letter of
Citizenship, as symbolic testimony to his having become an Icelander, but this
couldn’t be accomplished and will have to wait for a better time.

On the plane to Iceland: Fischer and Saemi Palsson (left) with the TV crew
The message was sent to us supporters that Fischer would return and would
arrive at Hotel Loftleidir in 15-20 minutes, whereupon the reception committee
could see him. This did indeed happen.

Cheers to at last approaching Iceland
and Reykjavik Airport
The reporters from Channel 2, who had virtually kidnapped Fischer for a short
time, returned with him to the plane and photographed him as he disembarked
for the second time. They were the only news crew to do so, as the other members
of the press had packed up and left by that time.

A harrowing experience: Fischer on the way to freedom
Then Fischer came, with his friend Saemundur, into Hotel Loftleidir and greeted
everyone who had been waiting for him very warmly and graciously. He was lively
and energetic, and he seemed anything but exhausted. Of course he was tired
by this time, however, and relieved to retire to the lovely suite that he stayed
in back in 1972 so he could get some rest.
“Regret How Things were Handled with Regard to the Press”
Gardar
Sverrisson, one of Bobby Fischer’s chief supporters in Iceland, said in an
interview with the Morgunbladid Online News Desk that he regrets,
on behalf of the media people who, in many cases, traveled long distances to
cover Mr. Fischer’s arrival in Iceland, that one Icelandic media crew should
go as far as it actually did in order to monopolize the coverage of the event.
“At the last minute, we received the information that we should meet Miyoko
and Bobby inside the hotel, which we naturally did. They seemed extremely relieved
to meet us at last under normal circumstances,” said Sverrisson. “So the goal
seems not at all to have been to prevent their meeting us, but rather to keep
media people other than Channel 2 reporters from getting close to them.
The media members who showed up were not only from Iceland. There were a large
number of foreign reporters as well, and many of them had traveled a long way
in order to follow this historical event. From the beginning, we had done our
best to keep them all informed of the status of the case, as it is very important,
in such a battle, to have the press on your side.
For their sake I am really sorry that one Icelandic media agent should go
so far, especially because it was these people whom we had trusted so much
that we let them right into our inner circle, and they had promised us faithfully
that that trust was mutual.”
Shame of Whom?
Morgunbladid, Reykjavik, Iceland – Editorial 29 March 2005
The following is a reply to a Washington Post editorial of 28.03.2005
entitled "Shame
of Iceland".
Robert James Fischer returned to Iceland on Maundy Thursday after an absence
of 33 years. For nine months he had been in detention in Japan, threatened
with extradition to the United States for having violated an international
trade embargo against erstwhile Yugoslavia when he played chess there in 1992.
But Mr. Fischer has also occasioned angry reactions from Americans by repeatedly
denouncing Jews and by exulting in a radio interview over the 11 September
2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
The most choleric response to Bobby Fischer’s arrival in Iceland appeared
yesterday in the American newspaper The Washington Post, under the
headline “Shame of Iceland.” The paper states that the day Althingi [the Icelandic
parliament] agreed to grant Mr. Fischer Icelandic citizenship was “a sad day
for Iceland, which actively associated itself with a man who has long since
left decency behind.” It goes on to say, “Fischer, clearly deeply unbalanced,
should perhaps be considered a subject of pity, rather than hatred. But he
should certainly not be a subject of legislative honor – not unless his new
countrymen want their nation shamed every time this chessman opens his mouth.”
Bobby Fischer has not come to Iceland because of his opinions. They are his,
and he is responsible for his words just as any other Icelander is.
When Mr. Fischer became World Champion, Americans were eager to cloak themselves
in this eccentric chess genius’ victory over the Soviet chess dynasty, but
since 1992 their intransigence toward him has been unalloyed.
Early this winter, Mr. Fischer wrote to the authorities in this country and
requested asylum in Iceland. Minister of Foreign Affairs Davíd Oddsson demonstrated
both valor and philanthropy when he decided to honor that request. Icelanders
have formed a group of Bobby Fischer supporters who have worked tirelessly
to get him released, and it is thanks to this group and the Minister for Foreign
Affairs that Mr. Fischer is here. The original intent was not to grant Mr.
Fischer Icelandic citizenship, but when it became clear that the Japanese would
not release him, the decision was made to take this step. Althingi did not
bring Iceland to shame with this decision; instead, it saved the United States
the shame of having imprisoned Robert James Fischer for the sole crime of not
having behaved in harmony with American foreign policy.
Previous ChessBase articles
Easter
editorializing on Fischer's escape
29.03.2005 Thursday
night Bobby Fischer arrived in Iceland, looking haggard after a detention
of almost nine months in Japan. Over the Easter weekend journalists all over
the world have sat down to write down their own personal views on the case.
From the hundreds of articles that have appeared in the world press, here
are a few of the
more striking ones.
|
Tumultuous
welcome for Fischer in Iceland
25.03.2005 They
are scenes like we have never seen before, certainly not in the chess world.
Bobby Fischer arrived in Iceland to a hero's welcome from a midnight crowd
at Reykjavik Airport. Looking harrowed and gaunt after almost nine months
in Japanese detention he took time to speak to TV journalists. We have dramatic
live footage from Icelandic TV.
|
11:30
GMT: Fischer arrives in Iceland
3/24/2005 Bobby
Fischer is on a plane en route to Iceland, where he is due to arrive later
tonight. During his departure from Narita Airport in Tokyo he was mobbed
by press and TV. At 11:05 p.m. Fischer's plane, a private jet sent to pick
him up by an Icelandic TV station, landed at Reykjavik Airport (not Keflavik
International, which is a NATO base) at 21:30 GMT. Latest
news...
|
Fischer
released in Japan
23.03.2005
Bobby
Fischer is due to be released from the Japanese detention center at midnight
GMT. "The passed Fischer pawn has been shepherded home to the eighth rank,"
wrote the RJF Committee. "It can now be promoted into a piece, with complete
freedom of movement." Update: we have just learnt that Bobby
Fischer has been released!
|
Bobby
Fischer: ich bin ein Icelander!
21.03.2005
At
5:06 p.m. today the Icelandic Althingi, has granted former world chess
champion Bobby Fischer full Icelandic citizenship. Despite stern U.S.
diplomatic warnings, the world's oldest existing democratic parliament
voted 40 in favour and two abstentions to make Fischer a full citizen.
The
readings took just 12 minutes.
|
Fischer
to receive Icelandic citizenship
19.03.2005
"Iceland
has just got its tenth grandmaster – Robert James Fischer," rejoiced
the RJF Committee. The country's parliament decided unanimously a few
hours ago to grant Fischer Icelandic citizenship. Japanese authorities
have confirmed that in such a case they would release the detained former
world champion. Long
read.
|
Playing
the Al Capone Gambit against Fischer
15.03.2005
It's
a strategy that worked well on leading mob figures: if you can't get
them, let the IRS do the job. Former world champions Fischer was initially
detained in Japan because of invalid travel document, then we were told
it was for breaking sanctions in 1992. Now it looks like the US government
will use tax evasion and money laundering to bring him down. Reports
and video.
|
Bobby
Fischer: five days in solitary confinement
08.03.2005
We had just reported about Fischer's new passport, which an Icelandic delegation
had carried to Japan. A minor mystery was why it had not been handed over
to him last Wednesday, as planned. Now we learn that Japanese authorities
had put the former world champion into solitary confinement. For five days.
Over a hard-boiled egg. We are
not joking. |
Fischer's
passport – to freedom?
08.03.2005
March 9th is Bobby Fischer's 62nd birthday. By chance a very special
gift has arrived in Japan for the former world champion: an Icelandic
passport with which he may be able to travel to freedom after more than
six months in a Japanese detention facility. We have exclusive
pictures of the new passport.
|
Fischer
receives an Icelandic passport
2/23/2005
Immigration authorities in Iceland have decided to issue full travel documents
for former world champion Bobby Fischer, who is being held in Japanese
detention for not possessing a valid passport. Fischer's new passport will
be sent to Japan by diplomatic mail, and a delegation is traveling there
to escort him to Iceland.
|
Fischer's
lawyer Masako Suzuki speaks out
02.02.2005
Is Japan buckling under pressure by the US? Bobby Fischer, 61, former World
Champion of Chess who has been jailed in Japan for six months now, is applying
for Icelandic citizenship. But Tokyo seems to be balking at a constructive
solution entailing his release to Iceland. Fischer's lawyer Masako Suzuki
has given us an exclusive interview.
|
Bobby
Fischer applies for Icelandic Citizenship
25.01.2005
After
the Japanese authorities last week refused Fischer's request to be extradited
to Iceland the chess legend, who is being held in a Japanese detention
facility, has today written to the President of the Icelandic Althingi
(picture), applying for Icelandic citizenship. A special law would have
to be passed to grant
Fischer's request.
|
Bobby
Fischer – immigration plans on ice
22.01.2005
His
supporters filed a petition that Fischer might be released from detention
in a Tokyo jail and allowed to travel to Iceland, where he has been granted
refuge. But Japanese Justice Ministry lawyers said they were not prepared
to change Fischer's deportation destination to Iceland, and that he would
have to remain in detention. A
harsh blow for the chess legend.
|
Bobby
Fischer – six months in jail
1/17/2005
On
July 13, 2004 he was arrested at Narita Airport in Tokyo, for attempting
to leave the country on an invalidated. Since then the greatest hero
of Western chess has been languishing in a Japanese detention facility,
now physically exhausted and suffering from dizzy spells. His Icelandic
friends, who are offering him refuge, have launched another appeal
to the authorities.
|
US
threatens Iceland, Fischer Committee appeals
22.12.2004
Iceland
is under US pressure to drop plans to offer a home to fugitive former
chess champion Bobby Fischer, the Reuters news agency tells us. But the
Icelandic government has stated that its offer "will not be withdrawn
despite pressure from the United States." How do we know that? Among
other things we read it in Aljazeera, would you believe? Here's the latest
on this international
confrontation.
|
RJF
Committee mobilizes pro-Fischer forces
18.12.2004
While Bobby Fischer remains incarcerated in a Japanese prison a special
committee in Iceland is moving to get him free and find him a home on the
North-Atlantic island country. Iceland's foreign minister and a prominent
political scientist have spoken out. Here's a report on Fischer's Iceland
Connection...
|
Fischer
to get refuge in Iceland?
12/16/2004
The news today on Bobby Fischer, who is currently being held in a Japanese
detention facilities pending extradition to the US, is that the Icelandic
government has offered to grant him a residence permit. In a telephone
interview Fischer speaks about his plight in Japan and reacts to statements
by Garry Kasparov on Fischer Random Chess. Full
details... |
Returning
to the 'scene of the crime'
30.11.2004
Twelve years ago Boris Spassky played a match against Bobby Fischer in
Yugoslavia. That got Fischer into a lot of trouble, while for Spassky,
a French citizen, there were no repercussions. Now the tenth world champion
returned to Belgrade to open the Belgrade Chess Trophy. Quick
interview... |
Fischer
to Bush and Koizumi: 'You are going to pay for this!'
18.10.2004
Bobby Fischer, still in detention in Japan, has spoken out again in an
interview, this time threatening the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi and
US President Bush: "You are going to pay for this, and you are going to
pay for your crimes in Iraq too." His new lawyer, Richard J. Vattuone,
plans to release documents to prove US government involvement in a
plot against Fischer. |
'We
want to live together forever'
01.09.2004
She collected pictures of her chess hero after his match with Boris Spassky
in 1972. One year later they met in Tokyo – the start of a romance spanning
decades. Since four years the two have lived together in downtown Kamata
in Tokyo's Ota Ward. In an exclusive interview for ChessBase Miyoko Watai
tells us the story of her life
with Bobby Fischer. |
Listen
to Bobby Fischer
26.08.2004
In emotional phone calls from his detention cell in Tokyo ex world champion
Bobby Fischer gave a Philippine radio station two lengthy interviews. Fischer
is facing deportation and incarceration in the US, and voices his nightmare
fears: "I will be tried, convicted, sentenced, imprisoned, tortured and
murdered." We have summary transcripts
and audio files. |
Dramatic
moments around Fischer's deportation
25.08.2004
First the Japanese Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa issued a deportation order
against former world champion Bobby Fischer's, then Fischer's lawyers filed
a lightning appeal on the grounds that physical deportation would be a
flagrant violation of Fischer's right to full legal recourse and protection
under Japanese law. Here's the full
story by Fischer's legal coordinator. |
'Bobby
Fischer and I have decided to marry'
17.08.2004
Bobby Fischer, the former world chess champion, plans to marry the president
of the Japan Chess Association (and four-time Japanese women's champion)
Miyoko Watai. This was reported in newspapers and wire services last night.
Now Watai-san has sent us a statement explaining the background of her
personal relationship with Fischer. |
Fischer
renounces US citizenship
15.08.2004
Bobby Fischer has been moved to a new detention facility in Tokyo, pending
a decision on his deportation to the US, where he faces a 10-year jail
sentence. A lot of new material has surfaced, including Fischer's handwritten
renouncement of his US citizenship and a blow-by-blow description and picture
of his arrest at Narita Airport. Harrowing
stuff... |
Spassky
to Bush: Arrest me!
10.08.2004
Boris Spassky, who played the contentious return match against Bobby Fischer
in Yugoslavia 1992, for which the latter is currently facing deportation
and incarceration in the US, has appealed to President Bush to show mercy
and charity for his tormented successor. If for some reason that should
be impossible, Spassky suggests a very
imaginative alternative... |
Fischer's
appeal rejected
28.07.2004
Bobby Fischer's appeal against his deportation was rejected today by Japanese
authorities. Meanwhile the Icelandic Chess Federation has appealed to US
president Bush to pardon Fischer and set up a petition web site to collect
signatures. In Tokyo a "Free Fischer Press Conference" is scheduled for
Thursday. More... |
Fischer
a sacrificial pawn?
25.07.2004
Bobby Fischer is still in detention at Narita Airport in Tokyo, traumatised
but stubborn, "behaving like a Samurai". At the same time news outlets
all over the world are covering the story, with Fischer's brother-in-law
Russell Targ assailing the Bush administration for playing election year
politics with the former chess champion's freedom. There's
a lot to be read... |
Game
of Life: Kasparov on Fischer – in full
20.07.2004
The news of Fischer's arrest in Japan came as a shock to Garry Kasparov,
who was in a holiday camp working intensely on the games of his greatest
American predecessor. In today's issue of The Wall Street Journal Kasparov
assesses Fischer's chess career – for a public that was being exposed to
his current situation. We now bring you Kasparov's
full article. |
Will
Fischer be extradited?
19.07.2004
Chess legend Bobby Fischer, the hero of millions, languishes in the detention
facilities of Narita Airport in Tokyo, waiting for a decision by Japanese
Immigration authorities on his deportation to the US. We have collected
all the documents and reconstructed a timeline to his arrest. Fischer,
who has no legal counsel, is appealing
for international assistance. |
Bobby
Fischer detained in Japan (updated)
16.07.2004
It's the latest twist in the sad tale of American former world champion
Bobby Fischer. He has been detained in Japan and faces possible deportation
to the US to face charges for playing in Yugoslavia in 1992. Fischer's
website says he was "very nearly killed" in Japan. The story has been picked
up by news services all over the
world. |