Here’s some research on this saga if anyone is interested:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=447629
But in short: eventually players caught on that the generic naming of Pacifics would imply the creation of “the East Pacific.” Imperialists preempted the GCR designation by creating their own “The East Pacific.” Then that colony was invaded... and a couple of days later became a GCR in a freak coincidence that shaped the future of the region.