Despite U.S. Request, Offer to Fischer Stands

Iceland has rejected a U.S. request to drop its offer of a residency permit for former American chess champion Bobby Fischer, officials said.

U.S. Ambassador James Gadsden asked the country last week to withdraw its offer because Fischer was wanted in the United States on charges of violating international sanctions against Yugoslavia by playing chess there in 1992.

Gadsden was told that Iceland wanted to recognize its historic connection with Fischer, who has been held in great esteem in that nation since he won the chess world championship in Reykjavik, the capital, in 1972.