Posted on 01/18/2005 9:43:25 PM PST by SmithL
TOKYO -- American chess champion Bobby Fischer should be freed immediately and allowed to leave Japan for Iceland rather than face deportation to the United States, his supporters said in a court filing Wednesday.
Japan has ordered Fischer, 61, deported to the United States to faces charges of violating international sanctions against the former Yugoslavia, for playing chess there in 1992.
The reclusive chess master has been in jail for six months, after his arrest at the Tokyo airport for trying to board a plane to the Philippines with an invalid U.S. passport, and as his immigration case has stalled.
Fischer's fiancee Miyoko Watai -- a Japanese chess official whom he applied to marry while in detention -- and supporter John Bosnitch filed a habeas corpus petition Wednesday, asking Japan to immediately free Fischer so he can leave for Iceland. Watai has said she would like to also go to Iceland, the site of Fischer's greatest chess victory against Soviet chess champion Boris Spassky.
"Now, we want the body. That's what habeas corpus means," Bosnitch said.
The move follows a stalemate in the separate immigration case. His lawyers fought the deportation orders before Iceland's decision last month to accept Fischer. Now, the legal team wants to drop the fight against deportation from Japan, but wants Fischer to be allowed to leave for Iceland rather than the United States.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Bobby probably thinks he just a pawn in all this.
I would say let the lunatic go to Iceland... As long as he doesn't return to the US, who cares?
But still, if we don't enforce these sanction laws, how can we combat Al-Qaida and state-supporters of terrorism?
Kinda late at knight for bad pawns.
his fans think he got rooked.
Ezra Pound defense, bonkers.
Jailed chess genius Bobby Fischer suffered a damaging blow in his quest for freedom Wednesday morning after Justice Ministry lawyers told the Tokyo District Court they had no intention of letting him leave Japan for Iceland.
Fischer's lawyer Masako Suzuki told the court that the chess champion's fight against a deportation order was meaningless as Reykjavik had expressed a willingness to take him in.
Tsuyoshi Satake, lawyer for the Ministry of Justice, said the ministry wanted to continue the lawsuit in its current form, which requires Fischer be deported to the United States.
Presiding Judge Toshihiko Tsuruoka questioned Satake on the ministry's stance against Fischer.
''Can we say you are not willing to change to the deportation destination to Iceland?'' the judge asked.
''You can interpret our stance that way,'' Satake replied.
The ministry's position means Japanese law enforcers will only accept Fischer's deportation to the United States... http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20050119p2a00m0dm003000c.html
ping
Japan and Iceland - a lot in common
Iceland is scheduled to open an embassy in Tokyo this year. In the context of international politics, the move may not appear significant. Yet, in the arena of diplomacy, any upgrading of bilateral ties is always important.
Icelandic Prime Minister David Oddsson maintained that the establishment of the embassy was vital in boosting ties between the two countries. And Oddsson expressed confidence that Iceland and Japan will soon grow closer because of a certain affinity.
"Although it may not seem so on the surface, we're quite similar," he remarked.
Iceland and Japan are both island nations with homogenous populations. Both societies are as egalitarian as they come, with neither a super-rich nor a super-poor class; and the countries are proud of it. Their people nurture a profound appreciation of their own cultural and historical heritage.
Having nearly the same small percentage of arable land and minimal natural resources, the countries have been compelled to rely heavily on imports. This heavy dependence on exports has meant that what happens elsewhere acquires paramount importance.
That sensitivity to the outside world has forced the two societies to devour information from abroad, boosting their literacy rates and longevity to among the highest in the world.
People of both nations have long earned their livelihood from the land and sea. From ancient times, they have faced hostile and brutal forces of nature such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. And such an environment has contributed to a national character that incorporates great respect and reverence for nature.
"Kami" (gods), "oni" (devils), elves, trolls and gnomes remain as traces of traditional beliefs in the supernatural, offering a striking contrast to the pace-setting modernity of the two countries.
Both lands look to a warrior past -- the samurais in Japan and the Vikings in Iceland, both of who still capture popular imagination worldwide.
What also drives Iceland and Japan, aside from a cult-like love of hot springs and seafood, is technology. The two crave cutting-edge consumer goods.
Sigfus Sigfusson, CEO of one of Iceland's largest business groups, Hekla, is among the Icelanders who have worked very closely with Japan and are aware of the many similarities in national character.
"It's a natural relationship. There is so much kindred in our character and mentality. We each highly value loyalty, work hard and see trust as paramount. Iceland is small. If you are not good for your word, everyone will soon know," Sigfusson said.
"Although the population of Japan is so much larger, the dynamic is similar in this way. Both cultures are based on "ningen kankei" -- human relationships -- and we each have a strong sense of responsibility to the community and do not like to rush important decisions."
The volcano Hekla is to Iceland what Mount Fuji is to Japan. The two volcanoes have shaped the landscape and spirit of both nations, and both have retained their unique majesty and mystique.
snip
http://www.worldeyereports.com/Reports/iceland/b2.htm
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