The reference to the invented term "Arabian Gulf" made by Her Excellency Adrienne Clarkson in her New Year address at Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, December 30, 2004 is legally and historically incorrect. The United Nations has twice recognized the legality of the term "Persian Gulf" (UNAD 311/March 5, 1971 and UNLA 45.8.2 (c) on August 10, 1984). It is significant that all Arab countries have signed the UN documents. For further information consult the following links:
http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... stasia.pdf
http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... e/iran.pdf
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/maplib/docs/escwa.pdf
Arab scholars up to the 1960s have also refered to the body of water as per its correct name "Kahleej-ol-Faris" (Persian Gulf) - see George Hourani (Arab Seafaring).
The "Arabian Gulf" actually referred to the present-day Red Sea in antiquity (i.e. Herodotus). The invention of "Arabian Gulf" with respect to its historically incorrect reference to the Persian Gulf was initiated by Sir Charles Belgrave (1920s) and Roderic Owen (1950s).
Note that the CBC has removed all references to "Arabian Gulf" and now correctly refers to the body of water as The Persian Gulf. This is the result of a contact made to Russ Germain (Broadcast Language advisor, CBC Radio Canada) almost 3 years ago. Mr. Germain recommended that all references to "Arabian Gulf" be removed from CBC broadcasts in favor of the legal and correct term, Persian Gulf (see e-mail below):
To quote Russ Germain in the above letter, the incorrect Belgrave-Owen term "Arabian Gulf" is mainly the result of a "successful public relations campaign undertaken in the name of geopolitical interests".
Your attention to this matter is most appreciated.
Yours truly,
Dr. Kaveh Farrokh
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia - Canada
- Persian Gulf - Vs. - Arabian Gulf -