31 January 2011
The Honorable Vice Admiral David C. Nichols, Jr
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. 5th Fleet
Combined Maritime Forces
ATTN: Dept. of the Navy
1200 Navy Pentagon, Room 4B463
Washington, D.C. 20350-1200
Dear Sir,
THE NAVY’S DOUBLE STANDARD AND AN ERRONEOUS REFERENCE TO THE NAME OF PERSIAN GULF
We refer to the above matter and bring the following to your attention:
Following the second Iraq war in 2003, Persian Gulf Online Organization members have observed that the U.S. Navy commanders have adopted the use of the fabricated term “Arabian Gulf” which is void of any legal and historical legitimacy in reference to the historically recognized and noted name as Persian Gulf — the body of water separating the Iranian plateau in the north and the Arabian peninsula in the south. We have strongly voiced our opinions on this misguided policy and we would like to seek your assistance to rectify it
The United States Navy’s (“the Navy”) recent official response indicates that it has adopted the improper and illegitimate nomenclature for many years and that no one has complained until officials recently posted the Navy’s official style guide online.
We would like to point out that the Navy’s stance is incorrect, when any reference to that body of water is made other than the Persian Gulf. Our task force has been in communication with the Navy on several occasions in the past, via email, fax, letters and telephone calls. For your reference, attached please find an instance of such communication, a letter dated October 20, 2005. Moreover, a large number of academic scholars of the subject have in their published manuscripts consistently used the term Persian Gulf and have warned others to avoid using other names,
The Persian Gulf Online Organization, consisting of thousands of individuals from all over the word deplores the Navy’s double standards on the fabrication of a new name for this historically significant waterway known to the world for several thousand years as the Persian Gulf.
In a statement posted to its Facebook page, the Navy states that it continues to respect the “long and proud history of the Persian people” and reassures Iranian readers that the Navy officials haven’t done “anything out of malice or disrespect for your proud heritage that has existed long before we were even a navy.” The Navy personnel went on to explain:
“The use of the term ‘Arabian Gulf’ vice Persian Gulf is used by naval forces including our regional partners there for years. We use this term in press releases, news stories, and photos coming from the Navy in the region. The often cited Navy Style Guide that says to use the term ‘Arabian Gulf’ vice Persian Gulf is really only applicable to them since commands in their area would be the only naval forces publishing stories in the region. In most other respects (nautical charts and publications, for example) the historic name of Persian Gulf is used. We value and respect the partners with whom we serve around the globe, and mean no harm or insult to any people or country.”
The Persian Gulf Online Organization has since received the following inappropriate and unacceptable response from the Navy’s Public communication responder:
(Public Communication Responder) – 01/21/2011 01:47 PM
“The term “Arabian Gulf” is used by Navy service members who are stationed within or working primarily with Arab host nations. Use of this terminology is set by these Arab countries and we defer to their preference in regard to terminology.”
We therefore respectfully ask that you conduct a full investigation of this issue and lead prevent further alterations of a historical name by the distinguished U.S. Navy. Such double standard is contrary to American values and what it has always stood for: Truth, Liberty and Justice. It is our staunch belief that this matter is very crucial to the preservation of the credibility, integrity, and impartiality of one of the most highly valued organizations of the United States of America.
Respectfully submitted,
Javad Fakharzadeh, Lexington, MA, USA javad.fakharzadeh@gmail.com
Mohammad Ala, China alainstructor@gmail.com
Amir Naghshinehpour, San Diego, CA, USA abibis@msn.com
Pirouz Mojtahed-Zadeh, London, UK pirouzmojtahedzadeh@hotmail.com
Pejman Akbarzadeh, The Netherlands persia_1980@yahoo.com
Behrang F. Lahiji, Irvine, California, USA bflahiji@yahoo.com
Reza C. Vatandoust, Sydney, Australia reza.vatandoust@gmail.com
Mehri Mohebi, Madrid, Spain mehri_mohebbi@yahoo.com
Kaveh Farrokh, Toronto, Canada Manuvera@aol.com
Daniel M. Pourkesali, Leesburg, VA, USA dpourkesali@yahoo.com
Ashkan Gorji, Paris France, pg2536@yahoo.com
… Persian Gulf Taskforce – 02/08/11
