Kazinform.com, May 6, 2005

Dear Rear Zakeri!

I am very sorry for the bad mistake we have made in the translation of the yesterday's news concerning Persian Gulf.

It is my fault as deputy editor-in-chief.

Sorry again and thank you for cooperation.

We appreciate it.

Wishing you all the best.

Almagul Kozhakhmetova
alma@inform.kz

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From: Reza Zakeri <sahand3707@yahoo.com>
To: president@inform.kz, viceinform@inform.kz, alma@inform.kz
Subject: [PGO] Kazinform vs. Persian Gulf !
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 08:51:46 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Friends @ Kazinform:

You have made a mistake in one of your recent stories. You have called "Persian Gulf" as "Arabian Gulf":

http://www.inform.kz/txt/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=121641

Please be aware that United Nations (with 22 Arab members) officially uses Persian Gulf for this waterway. Also all independent organizations and medias call it the "PERSIAN GULF" :

http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/mideastr.pdf
http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/qatar.pdf
http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/iraq.pdf
http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/oman.pdf

Also all Arab scholars until 1960s only used the term "Persian Gulf" in their maps and documents. Since then some Arab nationalist leaders such as Iraq's Saddam Hussein spent much money to change the name of this body of water to Arabian Gulf which is originally the old name of "Red Sea":

http://www.jpmaps.co.uk/images/24552.jpg

In view of your professional activities, I hope you correct this mistake and use the proper name of the Persian Gulf.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Best wishes,
Reza Zakeri