Don't let the door hit you on the way out
 

Fischer Wants to Renounce Citizenship

Fri Aug 6, 8:43 AM ET
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By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Writer

TOKYO - Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, detained in Japan for allegedly traveling with a revoked U.S. passport, wants to renounce his American citizenship, his lawyer said Friday.

Fischer called the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo from detention at Narita airport outside the capital to tell U.S. officials his demands, his lawyer Masako Suzuki told reporters at a news conference.

Suzuki said she would submit a letter to the embassy on Fischer's behalf, and an embassy official will meet him to confirm his intentions.

"I no longer wish to be an American citizen. Enough is enough," he said in a handwritten statement issued through his lawyer.

Fischer's distaste for the United States is well-known. In a radio interview, he once praised the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, saying America should be "wiped out."

Fischer's renouncement of his U.S. citizenship could possibly leave him without a country to call his own, Suzuki said. Fischer would apply for refugee status with the United Nations (news - web sites) High Commissioner for Refugees as early as Friday, she added.

Fischer's supporters and lawyer are looking for other countries that might accept him as a refugee.

Fischer has already applied for asylum in Japan, arguing that the political nature of his "U.S. persecution" makes him eligible for refugee status in Japan. A decision on that could take months because the government would probably have to hold a hearing.

Fischer so far has not sought citizenship or refugee status in any other country, his lawyers and supporters said. But his father is German and he was considering seeking citizenship there.

In Berlin, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said on condition of anonymity that the ministry and the embassy in Tokyo were aware of the case, but have had no contact with Fischer.

The American chess legend is wanted by U.S. authorities for playing a 1992 match for $3 million in the former Yugoslavia in violation of international sanctions. He was detained on July 13 while trying to board a flight to the Philippines.

Fischer is fighting possible deportation to the United States, saying his passport was revoked without due process. Suzuki said Fischer has filed a lawsuit in Tokyo District court against two Japanese immigration officials, saying he had a valid legal status for entry to Japan.

Fischer's request to the Justice Ministry to suspend the deportation process should prevent him from being handed over immediately, Suzuki said, because Japan may not transfer custody of Fischer while his court case is being considered.

"We hope the Japanese government treats him fairly," Suzuki said.

Fischer's supporters have acknowledged, however, that past anti-Semitic statements could hamper his case.

He has said "an international Jewish conspiracy" and a "Jew-controlled U.S." are behind plots to both rule the world and ruin his life. He has also denied the Holocaust.

A> He's a nut
B> He's a smart nut
C> The US is pissed because he played a game of chess 10years ago... while Osama bin Laden runs loose and American military turn Iraqis over to Syria for torture.
D> Good for him.

Please seriously stop making remarks about the intelligence of others. Please.

Playing chess does not equal being smart. Even in chess, he lost it a long time ago.

And you know what? He's an anti-semite that broke a law. Good for the US.

-Rudey

bye bye bobby

Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya Fischer.

A & B -- I'd prefer the term idiot savante for him.

C -- Are you suggesting that the US can't handle multiple things at one time and shouldn't prosecute its citizens for violating international sanctions? Would you feel the same way if Enron or Tyco started trading with North Korea or Sudan?

D -- Why is that? Please explain why you are so supportive of this jackass. Do you share a lot of his views?

I read this yesterday. As far as I'm concerned, GOOD RIDDANCE!
The U.S. doesn't need pathetic has-beens like him around.

Yeah, maybe we should let every US citizen get away with whatever he or she wants because we've got "better things to do" like catch Osama bin Laden. I think we should pull ALL of the police officers, military, FBI, CIA, US Marshalls, US Immigration and Customs Agents off of their jobs and send them to look for Osama bin Laden. After all, what does it matter if our own citizens break laws at home and around the world when the "big fish" is still on the loose?

Give me a break.....

.....Kelly :)

Eh, let him renounce his US citizenship.

Not going to lose any sleep over this one, kiddies.

Maybe along with some others!

not being a Chess expert, even though I have played, When He wants to Renounce his citizenship then there is a proble!

"BUT" because he went against a ban to play the most improtant thing in his life, he becomes an enemy of the USA, I also have a problem with that!:mad:

Granted, he is a narrow minded ass with a talent but, I would go whoa folks lets get real if I was in his same position!:rolleyes:

*sigh*

Shades of Alec "I'm leaving the U.S. if Bush wins the 2000 Presidential election" Baldwin.

Nobody really gives a crap, kiddies!

Tom, what he did, regardless of whether you think it's moral or not is still a crime. As a former police officer, you know that there's nothing immoral about running an orange light for example or rolling a stop sign when no one's around. But are you breaking the law? Yup. Do you deserve a ticket when you do it? I think so.

Of course Fischer's actions rose to a MUCH higher level than rolling a stop sign. As a US Citizen, you have certain duties, responsibilities and obligations. What he's saying here is that he feels that he should be above the law due to his pseudo-celebrity status.

He's an egotistical jackass.

He should be French.

excuse me? are you insulting the French? I was born in France and raised there for couple of years btu stil have family there. I dont appreciate that comment - there are egoistical jackasses EVERYWHERE. dont stereotype please!!

Unfortunately, the Constitution makes it extremely difficult to prosecute someone for treason and/or sedition without concrete proof. And we don't have death squads that would travel secretly at a moment's notice to eliminate critics of our government, either.

Hay Bobby Fischer... renounce your citizenship all you want, but you can't erase the fact you're a native-born American! Besides, a 'Nansen Passport' (a special 'stateless person' passport) isn't that easy to get.

He is one weird guy.