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Politics : Israel to U.S. : Now Deal with Syria and Iran -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: F.G.S who wrote (6448)	12/16/2004 9:41:17 PM
From: Ed Huang	Respond to of 22250

Fischer 'put Iceland on the map' By Laura Smith-Spark BBC News Fischer's troubles began after his Yugoslav rematch with Spassky Extending the hand of friendship to a man viewed as a paranoid recluse with extreme views may seem a puzzling move. It becomes even more inexplicable when to do so could earn you the disapproval of the US, a powerful enemy. Yet Iceland has offered a residency visa to ex-chess champion Bobby Fischer in recognition of a 30-year-old match that put the country "on the map". His historic win over Russian Boris Spassky in Reykjavik in 1972 shone the international spotlight on Iceland as never before. Now Iceland is keen to repay the favour by offering sanctuary to Mr Fischer, an American citizen. He is being detained in Japan and is wanted in the US for violating international sanctions against the former Yugoslavia by playing there in 1992. There is a certain feeling of solidarity, not with his views but with an exceptional champion who is in difficulties Gunnar Snorr Gunnarsson Foreign ministry Iceland offers Fischer visa But Gunnar Snorr Gunnarsson, permanent secretary in Iceland's foreign affairs ministry, told the BBC News website that his country had not been able to ignore the grandmaster's direct appeal for help. He said both chess and Mr Fischer retained a special place in Icelandic culture. "There is a certain feeling of solidarity, not with his views but with an exceptional champion who is in difficulties," Mr Gunnarsson said. "In his time he also contributed to a rather special event here, over 30 years ago but that people remember very well." Extradition danger He said public reaction in Iceland to the visa offer had been "overwhelmingly positive". Chess holds an enduring place in Iceland's history and culture "It was not possible to grant him political asylum but we could offer him a residency permit on humanitarian grounds," he said. "Now it's up to the Japanese authorities to decide how they will react." Even if Mr Fischer is allowed to travel to Iceland, the US could start extradition proceedings against him there, Mr Gunnarsson said. The 62-year-old recluse has alienated many in his homeland by broadcasting anti-Semitic diatribes and expressing support for the 11 September 2001 attacks. Mr Gunnarsson said: "We have been anxious to convey to our American friends that this is a purely humanitarian gesture and we certainly do not endorse some of his statements. "Simply we would like this to be a token of respect towards an exceptional chess player." It was a brave decision on behalf of the Icelandic government and an admirable one Lilja Gretasdottir Icelandic chess federation Lilja Gretasdottir, president of Iceland's chess federation, said the decision to offer Mr Fischer a visa was "wonderful news". "We've been fighting for this since he was jailed in Japan," she said. "It was a brave decision on behalf of the Icelandic government and an admirable one. "A lot of Icelanders - even if they have no interest in chess - feel attached to the memory of Bobby Fischer." 'Our Beckham' She said she doubted Mr Fischer would sit down at the chessboard with Icelanders if he came but he would be welcome nonetheless. "As long as we know he is safe and a free man, that is enough for us. It's the same as for any other human being," she said. "His only crime was to play chess but playing chess is not a crime." One chess player cannot upset the good relations we have with the US Pall Stefansson Iceland Review magazine Pall Stefansson, of the Iceland Review news magazine and website, said people were prepared to make allowances for Mr Fischer's controversial behaviour because "he put Iceland on the international map". He said Icelanders, who form part of the coalition forces in Iraq, were unconcerned about the consequences of supporting Mr Fischer against US wishes. "I think it's Icelandic stubbornness, that maybe we do what we like," he said. "One chess player cannot upset the good relations we have with the US and everyone here thinks it's kind of strange the Americans do this... because he's played chess in Serbia. "For us he has the status of a football player, he is like our David Beckham." news.bbc.co.uk