Letter to the BC, former BBC

A Letter sent to BC Chairman in February 2003:

Dear Mr. Davies:

I am a British Citizen of Iranian origin and a BBC Licence Paying Viewer. I am an Executive Committee member of the Persian Gulf Task Force (UK section) and am writing to file a formal complaint about BBC’s continued abuse of the historic name of Persian Gulf. All previous complaints to BBC Editorial & Investigation Team (BBC Information) have been dismissed and ignored in what can only be described as an unprofessional and irresponsible act by BBC, I have therefore been left with no option but to bring the matter to your attention.

The broadcasting corporation’s deliberate policy of referring to the Persian Gulf as the gulf or even Arabian gulf at times is a deliberate act of insulting Iran’s heritage, culture and history and to create friction in the region using BBC’s powerful media resources worldwide. This can only be described as an old British Colonial habit, this is not worthy of a country that claims to be fighting terrorism since BBC’s deliberate actions to stir trouble in the Persian Gulf region is covert terrorism by itself.

Prime Minister Blair continually refers to the United Nations and highlights UN Mandates to justify his foreign policy, may I remind you Mr Davies that The United Nations with 22 Arab member States has on two occasions officially declared the unalterable name of the sea between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula as the Persian Gulf. The first announcement was made through the document UNAD, 311/Geneva on March 5, 1971 and the second was UNLA 45.8.2 (C) on August 10, 1984. It’s time Britain decided whether they respect UN mandates or not, that includes the BBC.

I have been in touch with the Foreign Office through my MP, the Foreign Office has confirmed to me in writing that Her Majesty’s Government accepts the advice of the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) for Official British Use that the correct term for the body of water between Iran and Saudi Arabia is ‘The Persian Gulf”.

I now formally ask you, the Chairman of BBC, to ensure your corporation abides by the United Nations Mandates and honours the recommendation of PCGN by using the correct and full name of the Persian Gulf. The only impartial language is that of the United Nations, the BBC is in breach of UN Mandates and is ignoring United Kingdom’s PCGN.

I look forward to your reply confirming that the BBC will use the correct name of Persian Gulf in all literature, web pages as well as TV & Radio News and documentaries as endorsed by the UN and United Kingdom’s PCGN.

Yours sincerely

Mr Afshin Dastafshan
Persian Gulf Task Force Board (United Kingdom section) http://www.persiangulfonline.org