did I read it right

[Colin Pook]

Gentlemen, on my first deep-sea trip in 1957, we entered the Suez Canal at Port Said and I espied a sign, somewhere near the Johnny Walker sign on the waterfront a notice on a building stating ??????? Egypt, near east inc. I assumed that therefore the countries of Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria etc. were all located in the NEAR EAST. Somehow, over the years I have never seen the title Near East used, instead the title MIDDLE EAST is used, for which I thought the likes of Kuwait, Iraq, Iran etc. were situated.

Question. What has happened to the title NEAR EAST? Does it still exist for countries at the eastern end of the Med, or did I get it wrong in the first place?

Perplexed

Regards,
Colin.

[Chris Allman]

Colin,

I think that the definition of the Near East is explained very well HERE

Chris.

[Colin Hawken]

That part of the World doesn't seem to have improved much.

[Neil Morton]

The Western Oriental Gentlemen who dwell there have a tribal affiliation that the Europeans gave up centuries ago.

[Colin Pook]

thanks Chris
Colin

[happy daze john in oz]

Question. What has happened to the title NEAR EAST? Does it still exist for countries at the eastern end of the Med, or did I get it wrong in the first place?

I think you will find most of the NEAR EAST has moved. Much of it is now in UK, Boltanstan is a clasic example of where the near east is now, just ask Brian.

[Peter (Pat) Baker]

During the Gulf War (1991), which I was involved in, the name Middle East was changed.
The American part of the Coalition forces decided that it would be called South West Asia.
As far as I know it is still named this.

Pat Baker.

[happy daze john in oz]

It matters not what they call it, the fact remains there rae still thousand sof them on the move, to either Boltonstan or over here.

[leratty]

Re comments as to many of the residents of that part of the world now being in UK, even Aus. Let me tell you there are a huge number in Paris, similarly coloured people & there is no feeling of caution nor of feeling-being threatened when you are amongst them unlike the UK. One area they are congregated is in fact the 'Porte St Dennis' which is almost solely Arab from residence through to shopping & a great area to be in for restaurants, butchers, green grocers etc. Not too far from there is a red light area, well where there are many Filipino street whores run by the French blacks (not sure how Filipinos get into France & have residency) again you do not feel threatened at all by the large numbers of 'large' black pimps.
Does anyone recall that rather tall split memorial as you go through the Suez Canal which was as I believe an ANZAC memorial? The sun on ANZAC Day or maybe every day shone straight through the split? May have been a myth? Oh what about the Blue Flu ship passing by in 'Lawrence of Arabia,' anyone recall that? Richard

[Captain Kong]

Hi Richard,
The ANZAC MEMORIAL in the Suez is still there, I passed it in 2005 when homeward bound from Fremantle.
.
There was another ANZAC Memorial in Suez, a couple of soldiers on horses, one man helping the other.
This was taken back to Albany in Western Australia by a member of the Army and is mounted high up on the top of ANZAC Hill just out of town, I saw that as well, the story is on a plaque there.
.
Yes I saw the Blu Flu ship in the film, nearly fell off my chair when I saw it.
Cheers
Brian