Annual Report 2003 - Persian Gulf Task Force

Prepared by: Javad Fakharzadeh

Dear distinguished Members of PGTF Advisory Board, Board of Directors, Honorary Members, PR and RPC directors and ordinary members.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate everyone for your participation in the activities of the Persian Gulf Task Force.

During the past year (2003), PGTF made significant strides and improvements on many fronts; namely a significant growth in membership, website re-design and re-organization and internal committees formation. There were also activities which involved a formal presentation at CIRA, more organized letter writing campaigns, nomination and approval of Dr. Pirouz Mojtahedzadeh as a new advisor, nomination and approval of two key directors for Public Relations (Mr. Amir Naghshineh-Pour) and Research and Publications (Mr. Mehdi [Daniel] Pourkesali), and much more.

The membership participated for the first time in a debate to recognize Persian Gulf Day as a symbolic national holiday. However no decision has yet been made on this subject.

Website formation, improvements and the burden of updates and annual maintenance fees have been borne by Dr. Mohammad Ala. This is in addition to similar efforts on behalf of the IranAlliance and Iran-Heritage organizations.

During the past year, Iran-Heritage (a sister organization) identified and duly paid for several “Iran Heritage scholarship” awards http://www.iran-heritage.org/research/scholarship.htm. Dr. Ala was instrumental in facilitating this unprecedented move.

This privilege has been bestowed upon three recipients:

1. Mr. Masoud Naseri (mnaseri@uwm.edu), for a study of the allopathic and traditional medical delivery (medical pluralism) among Iranian nomadic minorities (primarily the Ghashghai).

2. Annahita Farudi and Maziar Toosarvandani for Dari Language Project www.darilanguageproject.org

3. Pejman Akbarzadeh (persia_1980@yahoo.com) for a book about Persian Musicians www.parstimes.com/persianmusicians.html

PGTF and Iran-Heritage recognized the works of Dr. Richard Nelson Frye http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye.htm who has been duly appointed as an honorary member of the PGTF. Dr. Frye is the founder of the Middle East Center at Harvard and is the author of many books on Iran and central Asia.
PGTF is increasingly acknowledged in major Iranian websites. A series of advertising materials were circulated among the Iranian community. Dr. Ala and Mr. Pourkesali worked on PGTF artifacts such as Coffee mugs, posters and pens.

The PR committee sent a series of letters to Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, President Bush, Dick Chaney and the US Central command in the Persian Gulf.

Generally speaking, the year 2003 was one the most successful periods in the history of the PGTF since its inception in 1998. This success is, in large measure, due to the dedicated teamwork of active members throughout the world.

In 2003 PGTF’s membership grew to unprecedented levels. This had an immediate impact on the range and depth of our activities. Active members participated in numerous letter-writing campaigns; in particular against the BBC, which constitutes the most stubborn and pernicious abuser.

I would like to exhort everyone to expend even greater effort in the New Year. I believe together we can and shall make a difference in mobilizing our forces in defense of Iran's heritage.

While all our active members are deserving of praise, I believe the following individuals are worthy of individual commendations owing to their extraordinary efforts and accomplishments.

First and foremost is Mr. Afshin Dastafshan, an executive board member and erstwhile head of the UK Committee. Mr. Dastafshan was successful in persuading FIFA.COM to change A*** Gulf to Persian Gulf-- they duly apologized and have hitherto not repeated their mistake. Dastafshan secured the same result with AFC (Asian Football Confederation). Dastafshan’s biggest achievement in the past year involved the promise from Philips Cartographers to input Persian Gulf in their next World Atlas.

Mr. Dastafshan also contacted the Royal Yacht Britannia and impressed upon them the importance of desisting from using fictitious names for the body of water universally known as the Persian Gulf. Royal Yacht Britannia has since duly corrected its mistake. Some of the credit goes to Amir Sheibany for initially reporting the abuser.

Second is Mr. Ali Sigari of the New York section and a vociferous, yet discreet, champion of Iran’ heritage. Upon joining the PGTF in the past year, Sigari has accomplished a number of important tasks. He was instrumental in organizing a group of over twenty (20) Iranians to visit the New York Metropolitan Museum and protest against their abuse of Iran’s heritage in one of their exhibits. Sigari has obtained several Old Persian Gulf maps (courtesy of Dr. F.Kayvan) for use in our website. As an ardent Irandoost, he monitors major books, newspapers, and magazine publishing companies for potential abuse.

Third is Mr. Mahan Abedin, the head of the UK Committee. Abedin has been instrumental in conducting extensive research on the feasibility/desirability of taking legal action against the BBC. Indeed he is about to deliver his report on the subject. Moreover Abedin has written many articles on Iranian affairs. In particular he wrote an article on the Persian Gulf and the PGTF, which was published in Kayhan London. In January the Board saw fit to promote Abedin and he was duly appointed the head of the UK Committee.

Fourth is Mr. Jamshid Charmchi who has proved a resounding success as the director of PGTF public relations. Mr. Charmchi has consistently complained to abusers and has often received favorable responses. As a result of his initiative I contacted the chief editor of the Iranian Association of Boston magazine, and was subsequently able to publish an article on the PGTF in the (IAB), which constitutes the largest Iranian organization in the New England region of the East coast of the U.S.

Fifth is Mr. Daniel (Mehdi) Pourkesali who works tirelessly and discreetly behind the scenes. Earlier in the year the Board rewarded his efforts by promoting him to the head of the Research & Publications Committee.

Sixth is Mr. Pezhman Akbarzadeh who spends a significant amount of time identifying and pursuing abusers.

Seventh is Mr. Reza Vatandoust a true activist in defending Persian Gulf.

Eighth is Siavash Parsiavashi, a true activist in defending Persian Gulf.

Ninth is Farhad Shishechian, a true activist in defending Persian Gulf.