Sksela — Rock Against Freedom
Sksela Rock for Freedom, Moscow Cinema Summer House, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007
Well, I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt despite their known HHSh links and support for the radical opposition, but it has to be said that tonight’s Sksela Rock for Freedom was anything but. First off, the security was tight with a dozen “rent-a-thug” security guards hired by the supposedly pro-freedom, pro-democracy movement called in to separate the audience from the bands that played. Intimidating is not the word.
According to the organizers, the hired muscle, a few of which were dressed in military fatigues, was to prevent any trouble, but as larger rock concerts have been staged in Yerevan without such security, some serious questions have to be raised. In a sense, now that many diplomatic missions in Yerevan want to fund Armenia’s revolutionary-wannabes, it seems as though Sksela are getting too big for their own boots. Arrogant and egotistical, I’d say.
Even Sksela members sported the ear-pieces usually seen worn by official bodyguards at presidential events, as if less than 400 young Armenians represent a threat to anyone’s security. This is especially surprising given that they were expected to form an audience for a few bands performing against a backdrop of projected messages that George Orwell could have used to depict some kind of mind control in his forecast of an authoritarian future in the novel “1984.”
Other questions also remain unanswered about tonight’s event. Although the bands performing donated their time according to Sksela, estimates of the cost of the event range from $3-5,000. When asked about where the money came from, one of Sksela’s main organizers, USAID project employee Isabella Sarkisyan responded by saying that she paid for it. Even though her family is known for being close to the former administration of Levon Ter Petrosian, this seems unlikely.
However, upon producing journalist accreditation and saying that word is that the British Embassy paid for at least some of the festival, Sarkisian’s response was defensive to say the least. “Who the fuck are you for me to tell you where the money came from?” she said. So much for transparency and accountability then. Many others present at the event also raised such concerns, and especially regarding the heaviest security presence ever seen at any music event in Yerevan.
Not so much Rock for Freedom, the event represented an unfortunate reality. Even the self-declared opponents of the present system in Armenia are not only unable to offer an alternative, but in reality, they can be just as bad. For sure, as an organization that is not officially registered, Sksela has a responsibility to reveal the source of its funding. Of course, we know that one of the Sksela organizers, Suren Saghatelyan, is married to the Political Officer at the British Embassy, Naira Sultanyan, so some of the money comes from there.
But where else?
This question is particularly important given that with other pro-revolution organizations involved at the event, such as the Center for Regional Development/Transparency International Armenia, these questions not only need to be asked, but they especially need to be answered. As it is, Sksela’s Rock for Freedom was anything but. Instead, it was part of the start of actions geared towards next year’s presidential election. Only the naive can believe Sksela is a non-partisan movement and that the timing is coincidental.
Although Sksela says it is a non-partisan organization, it really is about time that people understood that its main organizers support the radical opposition and HHSh in particular, and that their only goal is to be part of a campaign aimed at removing the government from power by any means at their disposal. Fair enough, perhaps, but what if they represent political forces who offer nothing different and who have already been seen to be as corrupt and undemocratic as the very people they say they are against?
As I had to personally say to Isabella Sarkisyan in our heated exchange, “Sksela is nothing different. It’s exactly the same as everything it pretends and seeks to fight against. No wonder nobody in this country believes in anything anymore.”
Until that changes, and groups such as Sksela represent truly democratic ideals without the personal political ambitions of its leadership defining its direction and activities, it’s no wonder that Armenia finds itself in the situation it does today. Most of the electorate find themselves disenfranchised not only because the government, but also by a lack of viable alternatives and a politically charged civil society itself divided along partisan lines.
In such a situation, the argument for the continuation and evolution of the current system, albeit with continued apathy among the population, seems strong to say the least.
Sksela Rock for Freedom, Moscow Cinema Summer House, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007
Incidentally, word is that Bambir did not play at tonight’s Rock for Freedom because they did not want to be associated with the political aims of Sksela. If that’s the case, I have enormous respect for their decision although no rock festival can be one without them.
Comment by Onnik — October 8, 2007 @ 3:44 am
It’s also worth pointing out that had the security of the type Sksela hired yesterday been put there by the government, activists in the group would have accused the authorities of intimidation and draconian measures aimed at restricting freedom in the country. Ironically, the security — none of which could handle a crowd and who could only scream abuses at those queuing up to be checked for knives and guns — was paid for by Sksela. I would imagine that they didn’t come cheap.
As for the knives, I know that Observer had his Swiss Army knife confiscated and Isabella says that many more were taken, but this doesn’t seem good enough a justification to me. Either we can conclude that Sksela is a movement that attracts people with knives and so any actions taken by police to search activists at later events is justified, or we can assume that the searches were unnecessary.
There are very few rock fans in Armenia, and even less who like Armenian rock, but at events such as those held in Yerevan’s Puppet Theater there is no security at all yet the audience is pretty much made of the same guys that went last night. Instead, from the moment people approached the entrance to the event, any feeling of real freedom was lost. This was especially true when the hired muscle also prevented the audience from getting close to the stage.
Hardly freedom and most definitely not rock ‘n roll. Again, at events in the Puppet Theater, the audience is allowed to be up against the stage and no problems ever occur. Anyway, the security pissed off a few people I knew who also understand that they were the total opposite of what Sksela says it represents, and one friend even decided not to enter after waiting in line only to find that they couldn’t even do their job properly.
Anyway, if Sksela wants to be seen as the pro-democracy force it says it is, in addition to not showing political partisanship as it did in the May parliamentary election, they’d better not act in ways that even the government doesn’t. At the very least, private security or police should have waited outside the event and only been called in if trouble broke out among Sksela’s guys.
Even better, they should have had wardens. That is, guys who they trust and who can handle themselves to control the entrance and any possible trouble if the need arises, but who could at least relate to the audience on the same level. As it was, the security were the most intimidating I’ve seen at any event — and that even includes government rallies during the parliamentary election where actually, the security acted very responsibly and politely.
This was not the case last night with the guys Sksela hired treating their potential supporters worse than cattle being herded into a pen.
Comment by Onnik — October 8, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Sad but true.
Onnik +1 for excellent analytics and comments.
I’m yet (hopefully) to witness the rise of a force that is fresh, fair, just, principal and last but not least educated and with a sufficient ‘level’ (’makardakov’), as we say in Armenian.
Unfortunately absolutely all current political movements, Sksela included, lack almost (or absolutely) all the points written above, especially the last two.
So much for Rock for Freedom, and thanks for all the fish!
Comment by Silver — October 8, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Hell of a reaction Onnik…! well i meant to take some photos on the event from you, but as I see your thoughts and reaction were a priority this time.
Me too and many more people got totally disappointed this time… another thing i was sad about was the low quality of bands, and Bambir would definitely have mattered a lot… but although not playing they were there only to find the guards pushing Narek aside for one reason or another, and when Narek asks them why, they tell him to be calm otherwise they’ll make sure he’s out of there….
well I personally was definitely willing to be our of there even without the guards’ help….
Comment by Anush — October 8, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
Well, I did like some of the bands. Vox were interesting for me because the sound was different than the others who just wanted to play mainly covers and sound like rock bands of the 1970s. Another band was also interesting, but yes, I also missed Bambir, but anyway. As for photos, some will come later, but it’s not a priority for me, let’s put it like that. Other more important things come first.
Comment by Onnik Krikorian — October 8, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Onnik, I didn’t like many things about the concert, but:
So I carry a swiss army knife, and I came to the concert with it - thinking it might come in handy for organizational works. That does not mean “Sksela” attracts people with knives, not in the negative way you’re saying, although I get your point.
which sometimes results in the lack of coordination. But I think it is the strength of Sksela. Yesterday’s concert showed once again, that democracy is not the most efficient decision making system - but it is the best one yet!
1) at the end of the concert there was an announcement made where the organizers thanked the British Embassy of Armenia for financial support of the action (no offense, but please check your facts once more, I don’t know what is so wrong between you and Isabella, but the fact is you two can’t seem to stand each other, please don’t let that animosity get in the way of objective coverage)
2) I am a computer guy - I always have a swiss army knife with me - I use it to open and fix any broken computer anywhere I encounter it
3) I don’t think Sksela is a HHSh movement - if it was, I would be out of it instantly, you know well enough, that I can’t stand LTP and HHSh! Are you saying I am so stupid, that I can’t see HHSh line in Sksela?
4) most of the problems with the organization of the concert happened, because Sksela is too liberal and democratic inside, there is no single leader (I would have spotted
Apart from the points above, I wholeheartedly agree with you. The security were horrible. The fact my favorite Bambir didn’t come was bad, but I talked to Arman a couple of days ago and he didn’t say anything about the “rumors” that they don’t want to politically associate with Sksela cause or political orientation, especially as there isn’t one! Yes, I agree, that the action was disaster at start, and it started nearly 1 hour late, right? However, I want to ask you - didn’t you see anything positive about the event at all? I mean - I obviously saw a lot of shortcomings. But there surely must have been at least one thing positive you could see right? And when you write both positive and negative, that’s when you can call yourself objective. Is there something I didn’t understand?
Comment by Observer — October 8, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Actually, I know it is the British Embassy and have said that before and also on this post, so please, don’t make that argument. However, I say again that Isabella refused to answer the question. However, an interesting issue arises. If the British Embassy paid for the whole event how did they do that when Sksela, as far as I am aware, is not a registered NGO in Armenia and usually international donors may not provide funds to such groups.
Anyway, don’t accuse me of not checking my facts because I did. In fact, I did a long time ago by asking one of your members via her blog. I’m glad that this time Sksela announced the source of the money at the end. In the past they haven’t and kept it a secret with Isabella even telling me not to write about it when I asked her some months ago. Anyway, she refused to answer my question last night just as she has in the past. That’s the fact.
Basically, Isabella doesn’t like it when such things are mentioned because ultimately the matter is political and in no way anything to do with a “social movement” as is said by its members. However, if the event cost between $3-5,000 (estimates given to me by musicians present), did the British Embassy provide all of that money, and if so, can it do that to a group of individuals or is Sksela now a registered organization in Armenia?
Regarding the knives, you do obviously get my point. I’m saying that the same guys who went last night go to every other rock concert in Yerevan and there’s no problem. However, Isabella was trying to use the need to confiscate knives as being reason enough for security. I’m just pointing out the bad logic of her argument and what conclusion can be made from her inability to instead admit that the security was a mistake.
Until then, I hope she won’t complain when the Mayor’s Office provides similar “security” for future events and starts searching Sksela members on the streets. Or is it “one rule for us, but another for them?”
As for its politics, here we can disagree. Time will show what Sksela is all about and I am confident that my initial gut reaction after seeing what I have and knowing some of those players involved will be proven correct. In fact, there is no other reason for the formation and activity of Sksela which is also working closely with other groups I know who are part of the radical opposition or that side of civil society who would like “revolution.” Yes, yes, I know.
It’s only coincidence that Sksela start their activities a few months before elections in Armenia or the fact that I saw key members of those responsible for the organization attempting to get youth involved in the aborted attempt at a colored revolution in Armenia in April 2004. I remember the Sksela guys trying to excitedly get foreign journalists to go directly to Liberty Square after the OSCE’s press conferenceon the 12 May parliamentary election. Revolution was in the air, if they were to be believed, but of course, the Impeachment rally that day was pitiful.
As for Bambir, maybe they didn’t tell you as you’re a member of Sksela as well as a friend. However, my source is very reliable indeed and I once again say, hats off to them for actually having some principles and wanting to stay clear of dirty politics in Armenia.
There’s more to say and write about Sksela, but let’s leave it at that. I respect your opinion, but I disagree with most of it on this matter. Sksela do not strike me as a democratic organization. They are political, but the time is not yet right for their true colours to be shown. Let’s have this conversation during the presidential election campaign period. I think a lot more will be obvious then.
Of course, Sksela will never be able to attract a large enough following to be any threat to anyone, but anyway. My main point is that if civil society in Armenia is to regain the trust of the population it has to practice what it preaches, and in most cases, it most certainly doesn’t. All of which is just another reason for the apathy in society here, and especially among the majority of youth in Armenia.
Comment by Onnik — October 8, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
Onnik, inadequate comments from your side (except the one on transparency). The event was organized almost perfectly if do not take into account the access of security, which, I agree, was weird. In any case, you seem to be too envious: Sksela guys do whatever they can.
To those throwing stones at Sksela - show me what you’ve done to achieve the goals you declare our youth and country in general has to have! Show me pls.
Comment by mazd — October 8, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
Sure, the concert seemed to go well as it should given that Sksela paid professionals to do it rather than do it by themselves — in this case the MDP studio, but anyway.However, the security is the main point and the fact that it does not fit in with Sksela’s self-proclaimed objective of promoting freedom and democracy.
As for throwing stones and what anyone else has done to achieve anything, can we get real here, please. It is Sksela that is being financed to carry out its activities and it is Sksela that has failed to achieve anything apart from gather a few hundred youth for a free rock concert, but significantly less for it’s core purpose.
I’m happy if they can, but first they have to show themselves to be the democratic movement that they profess to be. For now, however, the organization is even more secretive than many government agencies, and as I said in the post, seems to have gotten a bit carried away with the money the British Embassy provided.
Actually, it went to their heads. Who the hell are Sksela, especially at an event to promote freedom, to hire such muscle who were rude with the audience, who didn’t do their job correctly, and who were intimidating just by being there? For god’s sake, many people including myself were first thinking the government had put these guys there.
We were shocked to discover that Sksela had actually hired rent-a-thug, and even more amazed that at least three were dressed in camouflaged military uniforms.
This was a huge mistake by Sksela and perhaps shows that freedom is far from the minds of those that decided how things were run yesterday. As I’ve said, the security was tighter and more visible than at most events I’ve been present at in Armenia and that includes those with high level government officials present.
Is this the “freedom” that Sksela is talking about?
Comment by Onnik — October 8, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
Wow, Bambir’s absence must have really pissed Onnik off. I don’t think his reaction was this negative even when the administration’s skinhead thugs kicked the butts of some journalists and broke his camera.
I wonder the reason for security personnel was to prevent any provocation by the administration’s thugs? It would be quite damaging to Sksela if a few people were planted in the audience and started a fight.
Comment by nazarian — October 8, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
No Nazarian, the presence of security pissed me and others off. And wow, don’t we just make up excuses to justify the situation when it suits our political aims. Had this been a Sksela event with the security placed by the government, you’d be screaming foul.
Oh, and yes, your comment also has a lot to do with the fact that you’re a HHSh supporter, pro-opposition and anti-government. Even the fact that others agree with me, especially on the matter of security, above seems to have been lost on you.
Anyway, ok, Nazarian, it’s obvious that in the future to avoid such possibilities, the Yerevan police need to deploy dozens of officers as well as search all those attending Sksela events. That’s the logic of your argument, but I wonder? Would you be so understanding then?
Comment by Onnik — October 8, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
I am always pro-opposition and always anti-government. I am also a libertarian and a capitalist. That’s why I am for minimal government interference in public life and would be/am against excessive police and security presence in any public event beyond preservation of peace and normalcy.
I did not justify Sksela deployment of such security force - but knowing the Armenian reality, I wondered what the reason would be.
Comment by nazarian — October 8, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
I think they made a mistake. Personally, I think they need to have their own guys who can be clearly identified as wardens or something and who can keep an eye on things. Perhaps, if necessary, security should be kept out of sight and called in only if and when necessary. Basically, the wardens could be Sksela members and different from the goons deployed yesterday by actually being people who could relate to the audience and diffuse a situation through mediation and words rather than by force which is basically what the guys from the security company were all about.
Comment by Onnik — October 8, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
First of all RESPECT to Onnik, because of the facts you mentioned in here.
I saw how these Sksela guys were not observed by the guardians in case of alcohol, or knives, or anything.
About Bambirs, well the audience was pissed off cuz’ they are a big part of every rock fest our studio organizes (I’m working with MDP on these concert things) and fans were upset not seeing them there, but, on the other hand they have their own oppinion on things, so it’s obvious (and good) that they stay apart from all this “pollitics”.
Sksela did a huge mistake by hireing these security because, as you mentioned, it deffinetly doesn’t fit with their fact of being a democratic organisation at all. And I’m sure
they will show themselves in very near future, during presidental ellection campaigns.
There is another thing concerning the “freedom” they were so passionate about. Why on earth the audience was not allowed to get to the stage?!? When we do these concerts in puppet, or in the other places kids are allways free to go to the stage (allthrought our sound manager Mhko tell them to stay away from the cabels, and other equipment, we are quite possitive about it, because, for God’s sake it’s a rock concert after all!!!!). Can anybody talk about freedom after all this stuff? I don’t think so.
Comment by Anais — October 8, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Right, and I was actually smiling and thinking to myself earlier today that had Bambir played, Narek would have probably made some sarcastic comment about the security guards, told them to bugger off so the audience could approach the stage as they do in the Puppet Theatre, and then scream at the rent-a-thug mob, “We want freedom from people like you!”
In retrospect, then, probably a good idea Bambir didn’t play.
Comment by Onnik — October 8, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Incidentally, I’m told that there has been a lot of agreement about the over-the-top security on a number of email discussion groups. From what I gather, although I am not signed up to them, the general consensus of opinion is that the security was way too much and not in keeping with the intended spirit of the event. Hopefully, lessons will be learned. Of course, security is an issue, but a precedent for the type of security deployed when young people gather apparently to push for personal freedoms needs to be set.
As I said, I’d prefer to see Sksela wardens or at least guys able to handle themselves but who also know how to communicate with people as human beings. Police or even private security can be contacted if there’s a need but they should be out of sight or not so imposing, restrictive and intimidating. In my opinion, and it would seem by almost everyone who attended yesterday’s event, the type of security as well as their behavior was a huge mistake by Sksela, and one that I think they shouldn’t have even made given the declared aim of the concert.
Anyway, end of subject. Time to move on and hope it can be a learning experience. Before then, Anush, I’ve posted some photos, but to be honest don’t have the time or inclination to post any more. There are not enough hours in the day, unfortunately.
Comment by Onnik — October 9, 2007 @ 2:35 am
A few things I’ve noticed about Sksela that corroborate the idea that they’re up to no good:
They use highly abstract words like “freedom,” buy they never say exactly why there is no freedom or what exactly the problem is. There is never any real content to what they say, and you can forget about a theory. This is highly unusual because real, grassroots revolutions always have a decided, explicit, agreed-upon change in mind. They don’t just want “freedom,” they know just what exact change “freedom” means. China, Iran, Burma: all of these attempts at change had specific goals: Tiananmen Square was against the government’s liberalization of the economy, whether or not “westerners” know that; Iran was about social rights that the newly resurgent middle-upper class didn’t want to do without; Burma is about getting rid of a real, machine-guns-in-your-face military junta and putting Aun San Suu Kyi in power.
What specific goal is Sksela about? Uhh, I don’t know, dude, just freedom, I guess. In fact, Sksela doesn’t explain what it means by “freedom” because they can’t: They can’t come out and say freedom means the privatization of every resource that Armenia depends upon. So they repeat all this “freedom” nonsense over and over hoping the young are too stupid to understand what’s going on. Although keep in mind that by Sksela here I mean the small core team that’s controlling it; I’m not saying every member knows the real agenda or even that they wouldn’t notice it if and when it becomes explicit; ergo, the reason the core team hides it.
The lack of any real political content in Sksela’s mission is one big clue as to what its about. Innocuous-sounding, secondary goals meant to prepare the soil, as it were, it does have, though. And these are also clues. Getting the people to read newspapers and providing the CIA with the “freedom of speech” it needs for broadcasting on public radio seem to be two of its preoccupations in this department: I’m thinking of the “Kardank” action and the tastefully executed and subtle gagged-mouth themed RFE action. Because, you know, privatization is OK, as long as its the common people footing the bill: As soon as you ask RFE to buy it’s service in the private sector, i.e. to put its money where its megaphone is, you’ll find a few mislead Armenians stuffing gags in their mouths, instead.
It is pretty clear to me what Kardand campaign was about, too, although I admit that I’ve arrived at this conclusion Sherlock Holmes-wise. If USAid & co. launch a campaign that encourages people to read, it can only mean that people are not reading enough for USAid & co.’s purposes. Clearly, the purpose of the campaign was based on the old “What if you threw a party and nobody came” hypothetical, except in this case its “What if you planted a thousand propaganda stories but nobody read them?” Get people to read them, of course.
Which accounts for the very surreality of the Kardank campaign. Maybe in Harlem in the 70s a few lefties from Sesame Street did launch a neighborhood reading campaign, but then they weren’t being funded CIA-related government departments, were they? They were, in fact, actually being spied on. Maybe the Zapatistas, too, launched such a campaign for the benefit of the peasants in deep rural Mexico. But to launch a reading campaign in a capital city with 99% literacy, where every other person is a doctor of something or other, not to mention at least bi-lingual and quite possibly tri-lingual and maybe even a world-ranked chess player, and to do it with foreign government funds and foreign government employee presence, no less… Well, just what the hell is that, if not totally surreal?
So they want Armenians to consume more information, and of the kind disseminated by the CIA’s propaganda arm; they’ve tried to achieve this by hiding their campaigns in the cloaks of “freedom of speech” and “participation in civil society”—and my what transparent cloaks those have turned out to be: if you want a ruling extended metaphor for the whole charade just think of Donald Rumsfeld on Viagra walking into Freedom Square in a gauze dress, crowing “Extra! Extra!”. But that is what a cynical, power-hungry old corporate-conglomerate empire looks like when its trying to a rape a country but doing a horrible job of the soft-sell.
Yet a third clue as to what Sksela is about is aesthetics. Aside from being devoid of any real political content, and aside from being pretty transparently sly when they do take on a minor goal, color revolutions have they have in common their aesthetic (simplicity: gag, “sksela,” wall being kicked down, and all the other straight-out-of-a-PR-campaign-brainstorm-session trinkets I’m sure they’ve distributed); and they have in common their method, too: start a youth movement that is not really about anything but hormones and righteousness, bring it to a boil, then hijack it when the time is right.
But you can’t do that when the people know what you’re up to. And I think the Armenian people know what’s up. They might not know about Sksela, specifically, but they can feel the presence of the beast in their bones, so to speak. I’m sure of it.
In short: It’s not sksela for us, Armenians, but kak@ batsvela for you operatives.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — October 9, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Well, Armen, you make some interesting points, some of which I agree on and others which I don’t. For sure, your comment about the ambiguity and vagueness in using words and phrases such as “Sksela” and “Freedom” are right on the mark, and I see the present stage of their activities as one where they are trying to attract members and active participants. Probably it doesn’t matter if those members know or don’t know what’s behind Sksela. Basically, they are somewhere “lost” in the politics of Armenia, know they’re different, know they don’t like the situation, and need somewhere to fit into.
This is why rock, for example, is the music of choice for Sksela. The type of person they’re hoping to attract listens to that music, is young and impressionable, and there’s a rebel streak they’re hoping to appeal to. Also, it’s worth noting that such youth in Armenia when they turn up at a Sksela event do whatever they’re told to do without understanding or questioning why as was seen during the parliamentary election period and most notably with the concept of the Flash Mob that Sksela introduced. That is getting young people to turn up at a location at short notice to do what they’re told.
I’d also agree with you, though, that some of its members are genuinely concerned with such issues as democracy, youth activism, and freedom. Artur (Observer) is one, for example. However, the democratic “credentials” of others give me grounds for concern. I’m also interested in the involvement of the Center for Regional Development / Transparency International Armenia (CRD/TI Armenia) which has gone far beyone its mandate for fighting corruption which should be on a general rather than a solely antigovernment basis and who seem to be part of the Sksela movement.
In the parliamentary election period, for example, I was present when Sksela and CRD/TI came up with the idea of marching on Baghramian with plastic bottles as a symbolic act geared towards marking the anniversary of the 12/13 April 2004 dispersal of opposition supporters which involved the arrest of one man for throwing an empty plastic bottle at police. As it was, the action was not undertaken by Sksela or CRD/TI Armenia, but by the radical Aylentrank/Impeachment bloc. I think that there is some kind of cooperation or sharing of ideas, basically.
Regarding funding and support, however, I’m not sure if you can say the U.S. is behind Sksela because actually, it appears as though my Embassy is. Since February, it has been the British Embassy which has funded many of Sksela’s activities. However, I’m not sure there’s some political basis for this. Instead, one of Sksela’s main organizers is actually married to the main local employee in the Embassy who is responsible for giving out political and activism grants. On the other hand, as Sksela is not a registered organization in Armenia, I’m not sure that the Embassy can give out more than $500 in small grants which don’t have to go through a transparent and open application procedure.
Basically, I’m still interested in two main issues that arise out of the Rock for Freedom event. Firstly, is Sksela now a registered organization, and if not, did all the money come from the British Embassy or not? Of course, it’s possible for them to get money through other organizations which might explain the CRD/TI Armenia link. During the recent parliamentary election, for example, CRD/TI Armenia received $98,000 from the Open Society Institute (OSI) for election and MCA related activities and during that period the two groups were insepearable. Recently, the protest outside the Armenian National Assembly in support of A1 Plus was reportedly a joint USAID-Counterpart International / CRD-TI Armenia / Sksela event.
Regarding the symbolism and nature of Sksela’s appearance, yes, you’re right, it’s straight out of the revolutionary youth group movment handbook from other former Soviet republics. Interestingly, again during the parliamentary election period, CRD-TI Armenia received money from OSI to bring the head of the Albanian Mjaft! movement to Armenia to work with Sksela for a few days. When I bumped into him at Yerevan’s Stop Club at a rock concert, he was with one of the heads of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Armenia as well as Sksela members and the political officer from the British Embassy. Anyway, my point is that the British Embassy interest in Sksela seems to be driven by the fact that the person responsible for disbursing grants is married to a Sksela organizer.
Basically, I’m not sure if politics enters into the Embassy’s decision, except perhaps on a personal level by someone working there who is linked to Sksela.
On the other hand, the Honorary Consul of two European countries in Armenia recently told me that he wanted to fund Isabella’s activities which I assume meant Sksela. I’m guessing that money is also coming from OSI through CRD/TI Armenia and possibly NDI, but that is only a guess. Unfortunately, as Sksela appears to still be an unregistered organization and as both it and NDI are less than open about what’s going on, it’s impossible to say for sure. However, I am amazed that the British Embassy could and would give out thousands of dollars to an unregistered organization for the rock festival so am not sure what’s really going on.
Anyway, the idea of Sksela as a democratic and social movement is of course a good one. However, my own gut reaction from seeing it in operation and noticing other players involved suggests that it is more political. Whether that is openly or not, and whether the small group of around 20-30 committed members understands this yet, is another matter. However, I think it is obvious and that it will be seen to be the case when the moment is right. And as you say, that is precisely why Sksela exists and why it speaks in abstract terms… for now, at least.
Comment by Onnik — October 9, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Funny, Isabella has now reacted against this post without having the decency to post a link to it so people can see the full text, but anyway, she says she has spoken to Narek from Bambir and he says that the band didn’t play not because of Sksela’s political orientation.
Well, we seem to have quite a problem here because it was Narek that told me that Bambir didn’t want to do anything more with Sksela because of the political orientation and activities of the group. Well, maybe he wanted to be kind to Isabella as a friend, or maybe he just wanted not to create a problem, or he’s playing both sides, I don’t know. All I know is what he told me at the event itself when he and Arik were there only to distribute flyers for their concert tonight.
More than that, I can not say, but I am very sorry that Narek has been put into this difficult situation and is telling two different people two different things. However, I will point out that the Anush who made the comment about the event and Narek being pissed off with security is the girlfriend of Arik, flautist in Bambir, and also point you all in the direction of a post by one of Bambir’s unofficial member’s and acting manager — Melo Panos.
Roughly translated and sent to me by a friend, Tatevik, it reads:
Melo also sounded confused about the same thing that Armen is above. What freedom? he asks in the comments section of a previous post.
Anyway, whatever, those of you who support the radical opposition and/or Sksela will back up Isabella while the rest of you can make your own mind up. As I said at the beginning of this post, I’m told that Bambir didn’t play because they didn’t want to get involved with Sksela. Now that he has told Isabella something different, I have to let people know that the source was Narek himself. If he now wants to take what he said back, he can do so on my blog in the comments section below.
Comment by Onnik Krikorian — October 9, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
I’ve just left a comment responding to Isabella on her blog. Because past comments by yours truly have gone “missing” on Bekaisa’s blog in the past, I also reproduce it below:
Unfortunately, despite almost everybody complaining about the security at the event, Isabella is not able to admit that it was a mistake or to even acknowledge the concerns raised by many, many different people.
Comment by Onnik Krikorian — October 9, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
I showed up for the concert but was appalled by the security there, like for the most part everyone who went I imagine. When I finally understood why there was a huge crowd in front of the entrance to the open-air theater my first reaction was to walk away as I thought the security was entirely absurd. People were holding their cell phones and car keys above their heads as they were being patted down, and there was the infamous sign there informing all that no knifes or guns were allowed, but plastic bottles were OK. Weird. In any case, my turn finally came, or so I thought, to go through the gamut but unfortunately the security guards only chose to let people put up with their bullshit who cut me in line, even though they clearly saw me waiting there. I mumbled to the wide-assed security guard blocking my entry that if he wasn’t going to let me through I would walk away, not that he cared. But I left there fairly pissed that such security was being implemented at a rock concert in Yerevan aimed at a small segment of youth who are far from the “rabiz” crowd, which is more inclined to carry around knifes and guns then those rockers.
I also found it strange that a youth organization which only six months ago was passing out newspapers and wearing newspaper hats was now holding a free rock concert with high security. I can’t say for sure but I would guess that not even the Rolling Stones have such security for the tens of thousands of fans who show up for each of their shows. So why here for a few semi-professional bands? And who the hell was in attendance to justify having that security? I am also curious as to how many guns were confiscated–let me guess, zero?
Comment by Christian — October 9, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Garo (Christian), when I first raised the issue with Isabella and other members of Sksela after I confronted the security at the door and told them to say “please” to those they were shouting at and treating like shit, she came up to me and said, “wow, did you see how many knives were confiscated.” This is her justification for the security.
However, from what I heard they were things like Swiss Army knives and penknives and so on. I don’t know how many, but I’m told they were nothing much and as I said before, either the police should frisk Sksela attendees in the future by logic of her argument, or we should recognize that these guys presumably have had them also at Puppet Theater rock concerts where there is no security and no incidents.
However, I don’t dismiss the need for security, but not like this. As I said, these guys treated the audience like animals and were rude and intimidating. Maybe Sksela can afford to hire rent-a-thug now they have money and are feeling arrogant, but this makes them no better than what they say they are fighting against. Actually, two things.
Firstly, if the authorities had security or police acting like that, Sksela would be screaming that this was a violation of their rights. Secondly, they could have at least had security or police waiting in the wings and had people that treated the audience as human beings on the gate. Nevertheless, you’re right. I’ve never seen security like this at festivals I’ve been to in the UK (audience 80-120,000 people) and never in Armenia (500 at Puppet Theater for MDP/festivals or 250 at Stop Club for Bambir).
Anyway, long and the short of it is that yes, security is necessary anywhere so please Sksela, next time understand when the police gather at your next public events especially as you’ve acted more heavily than they have with you, but the type of security was way too much and actually offensive and intimidating and not anything related to the concept of “freedom.”
Lessons should be learned and I’m glad that some Sksela activists acknowledge they made a mistake even if Isabella doesn’t.
Comment by Onnik — October 9, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Anush at Transition Online’s The Armenian Patchwork has re-posted some of the photos from this entry over at:
http://blogs.tol.org/armpatch/2007/10/09/sksela-rocks-for-freedom/
Comment by Onnik — October 9, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
BTW: I’ve been thinking more on what Armen says in his comment above, and these are criticisms that have long been made of Sksela. That is, they speak in such abstract terms that in reality, very few of its members and certainly most of those few young Armenians that attend their events know what they’re about.
Indeed, I remember at one rally, seeing a bunch of young Armenians — about 17-18 years old perhaps — all marching down Abovian screaming “Sksela! Sksela!” Ask them what has started and they wouldn’t be able to tell you. Sorry to say this, but I commented to one of Sksela’s more clued up and active members that they reminded me of sheep.
Now, I have nothing against a pro-democracy youth movement if it is that. I also have nothing against an anti-government youth movement (which is not the same as a pro-democracy one) although the youth groups of opposition parties do it better because they actually know what they’re fighting against or for. However, Sksela is keeping its true intent cloaked in such ambiguity that it faces a dilemma.
As it is, when Sksela does engage in political activities like trying to get its members to protest in support of Zhirayr Sefilian, Impeachment, or at the anniversary of A1 Plus closing, none other than its core group of main organizers attend. Simply put, those that attend other events just appear to want to enjoy a free rock concert or have some fun on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
On the other hand, by declaring its true political agenda, it is likely to attract less young people to such events for fear of being associated with the movement and the unfortunately dirty politics that also defines the opposition as well as the government. For now, I see Sksela activities as trying to influence young people enough to be part of their movement and believe in it enough not to question its politics when the time for that to be revealed comes.
However, I thinks seven months of ambiguity is enough and it’s about time they declared what has started, and also, what freedom they are fighting for. Of course, my gut reaction is that the latter actually means the opposition winning in an election, but anyway. Thing is, that while Sksela’s ambiguity keeps them still somewhat low profile in Armenia and enticing for a minority of otherwise poltiically apathetic youth, it will also prevent them from becoming what they hope.
And there’s no doubt in my mind what they want to become. They want to be a revolutionary youth movement that can mobilize young activists at times of opposition protests, and particularly after elections. They tried that after the parliamentary election, but failed. However, in that election which was certainly not democratic, free or fair, the opposition nonetheless lost. They had no support in society and as a result, nor did Sksela.
And while I know that many of Sksela’s members detest the prime minister, Serzh Sarkisian, and openly say they will fight against his becoming president, another interesting question arises. What if in a more democratic (but notice I didn’t say democratic) election, Sarkisian wins? What if the opposition candidate/s again have no support and even if vote bribes determine the outcome of the election because voters will take them having no interest in seeing opposition candidates win either?
Where does that leave democracy in Armenia and what does that mean for any movement or group that says it is pro-democracy? Actually, I have my own opinion on the matter. That is, it doesn’t actually matter who wins the election as long as the process is more democratic and this time the rightful winner doesn’t lose because the extent of falsification stole the vote. My fear is that such proclaimed “pro-democracy” groups will instead support the opposition just because and only because they are against Sarkisian.
Will their position be determined by democratic values or their perceived anti-government position.
I also wonder what will happen if Levon Ter Petrosian does become the common opposition candidate? As many of Sksela’s core activists say they will vote for him, will they try to influence their other members and followers to do the same? Will they again work in support of the opposition as they did during the parliamentary election? Moreover, if they do, and others in the movement disagree, will Sksela splinter just as another young grouping, MIAK, did when it too eventually showed its political goals and orientation?
Comments welcomed. Certainly, I think these are all questions that need to be asked and especially answered sooner rather than later. However, I suspect the whole point of Sksela is to first become established while denying what many of us consider to be its definite political aims before then revealing itself during the official election campaign period and especially immediately afterwards.
Anyway, rather than have pro-opposition or pro-government discussion or coverage in society here, and especially on web sites, I think it’s about time we had discussion about democracy, what it means, and where both the opposition and the government is in this context. All of us have also got to realize that just as there are those who will decide to vote for an opposition candidate, there are also those who will vote for a governmental one too.
This was the case in the parliamentary election, but few in civil society here care to admit it. Moreover, they expected the international community to give a green light in support of a colored revolution. Only thing is, they didn’t, and there was no mood in society for one either. Interestingly, a local journalism student told me that for true democracy to exist here in Armenia, civil society and the media must not be pro-government or pro-opposition.
They must be ready to identify shortcomings in both and be ready to criticize illegalities or misdeeds wherever they are. I have to agree.
Comment by Onnik — October 10, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
I think the robots have been set to “Ignore” mode.
Which inspires me to go into Kick Your Ass mode. Which means that if Sksela does not send a message one way or another about their intentions, I am going to have to assume, based on their record, that they are lying, collaborating, cheap-labor, slave-driving right-wing nut-cases. I really, really don’t like people like that, and I hope Sksela is not that. But Sksela doesn’t seem to want to come clean.
Sksela has been hiding. Sksela has NEVER made a statement that is ideologically straightforward and honest. Why?
Should they continue to remain a “youth” charity case? WELFARE REVOLUTIONARY LOOSERS because they couldn’t make their BS fly in any honest playing-field? Judging by the fact that they have been carrying-out all of their actions without interference from any active forces just because they have never stated what they are about, I expect they are about to be asked uncomfortable questions soon.
Uncomfortable questions that keep getting more uncomfortable.
And their ties by marriage to the British Embassy better be able to hold water.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — October 12, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
Right-wing?
Why so?
Comment by Onnik — October 12, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
Onnik - I guess this is very relevant to the subject of discussion here. I will not comment or respond to the issue any further, but just wanted to share it with you.
http://ditord.wordpress.com/2007/10/09/i-disapprove-of-what-you-say-but-i-will-defend-to-the-death-your-right-to-say-it/
Comment by Observer — October 12, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
Right-wing?
Why so?
Hell, I don’t know. They could be left-wing, right-wing, up-and-down-wing. The point is they don’t say what they are, while at the same time they continue to use PR researched, semi-sophisticated tactics to take hold of the minds of the youth.
I would condemn them on the tactics, itself.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — October 12, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
And, yes, I do think they are right wing. Most likely right-wing Christian.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — October 12, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Observer, your link to the post on your blog almost merits a separate post on mine, but I’ve too much to do so I’ve left comments there and will also do so here.
I’m sorry, but I can’t get over the pretension and almost arrogance in this sentence. Sksela gave me what right? To write what I want, say what I please? Absolute bullshit. Sorry, no other word to describe that statement.
Nobody gave me that right. I decide what to write and when and Sksela has nothing to do with it although yes, I admit that they generally evade questions and employ over-the-top security so from time to time they can restrict certain rights.
And incidentally, your right to respond also has NOTHING to do with Sksela. It has everything to do with you as an individual and you were free to speak openly before Sksela, and you’ll be free to speak openly without them too.
Your comment might be worthy of someone in somewhere like N. Korea, China or some dictatorship where people aren’t free to write and say what they please and NEED collective groups to fight that system, but here in Armenia, that’s not the case.
I just wish people could understand that first and foremost they are INDIVIDUALS and collective groups take away freedoms rather than grant them. Anywa, Sksela gave me that right to say and write what I want?
Please. Do me a favour…
Comment by Onnik — October 12, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
There’s also more on this continuing argument at Mi Or:
http://mi-or.blogspot.com/2007/10/rock-for-freedom.html
Comment by Onnik — October 13, 2007 @ 1:10 am
Armen Filadelfiatsi, sksela is an initiative non-partisan (!) with the aim to active youth participation in civil society, even if you find it hard to grasp.
This is not that say that individuals who are in favor of sksela cannot have political beliefs or opinions. But it is not correct to assume that political beliefs of parents are those of their children. How Arsen could ever strike you as a pro-government person is still a mistery to me. It is also not correct to assume that sksela has a hidden political agenda, especially when sksela says it does not. When I joined sksela, nobody asked me about my political affiliation, yet I was asked to leave them before entering the door for sksela discussions or events and picking them on my way out.
I believe in civil society as a watchdog against state and making the state at all levels more accountable, responsive and effective. I believe power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I believe that the current government in Armenia is very close to having that absolute power (they certainly do pretty much anything they please without respect to the rule of law while simply playing the game of democracy). And I believe it has no intention to give that power away. Do not get me wrong, who would? I certainly would not.
Unless we have an active civil society nothing will ever change, even if the government changes. Sksela is about conveying that message to youth. Be active, take the charge in the issues that matter to you, you’re responsible for the government you have.
Comment by Nessuna — October 13, 2007 @ 3:20 am
Regarding security - free concerts attract all kinds of people because they are free. There are always people who simply enjoy making trouble, I sometimes think the only joy in their lives is having an argument (bazar) or a fight. Sksela had to have security. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Open concerts in republican square have police. You cannot compare the security sksela hired with police. The security even if some may argue was tough, simply did what they always do. They checked bags for knives. I agree it is unpleasant and not very nice experience. But they didn’t scream or threaten anybody even when I saw somebody talking in a loud voice at them. They remain calmed and anwsered in a calm voice back. How many policeman would do that? Not in UK, in Armenia
At that some point there were four guys who were bothering a group of girls. A girl from sksela asked for a security guy to come forward after trying to calm down the boys herself, which did not work. I was watching the security guy curious about what he was going to do. He simply told the guys to sit down, and walked away.
Security did not allow people on the stage. Had it done so the crowd would block the only entrance/exit which was pretty close to the stage. That’s just my opinion, which some skselas might not share.
Comment by Nessuna — October 13, 2007 @ 4:35 am
Nessuna, bravo for defending your beloved Sksela, and this is the point. It is only Sksela that is trying to defend itself. So far, not one person not linked to Sksela has been able to try to limit the damage from the security presence that was outrageous.
Now, about security, Nessuna, you’re right. You just can’t compare them to the police. As a journalist who has covered significantly more events or different varieties than you have, I can sat they don’t compare.
Firstly, considering the number of people attending an event in Republic Square compared to much less at Sksela, the security/police per capita was probably higher at your event.
They were also in your face, intimidating, rude and whatever else. As for the need for security, you are purposely missing the point. That’s fine. Have it, but not like it was or at least admit, that from what you’ve written in “defense” of Sksela now means that Yerevan police needs to be careful.
Therefore, after reading what you’ve read, it’s obvious. There needs to be a heavy police presence at all Sksela events and its members must be searched for knives. Anyway, nice try, but i think it just backfired on you.
However, I say again, from what I’ve seen of events in Armenia, Sksela security were worse than government security and seeing as the event was meant to be about “freedom” the irony is not lost on me.
Now, on to other points. Obviously Sksela has affected your ability to think (one of the objectives it hopes to achieve, no doubt).
I never said anything about Arsen being a pro-government person. Instead, I said that I am fed up with Sksela members being unable to answer normal questions from journalists. So, whereas Isabella refuses to answer questions on funding, Arsen doesn’t like questions about his mum, bless him.
All I wanted to know was if Sksela created problems for his mum, has she said anything, has anything happened. Instead, he didn’t answer the question, but a few weeks later actually verbally attacked me from even having the audacity to ask a question.
Anyway, as you know, although Hranush Kharatian occupies a government position it is because she is one fo the few who could deal with religious and ethnic minorities in Armenia. Otherwise, everyone knows that she is a senior member of a political party ironically in opposition to the government. She’s also reportedly anti-semitic, but that’s another issue.
Otherwise, other points about civil society taken although as I saw you and others at Impeachment rallies for the parliamentary elections, I personally think you’re barking up the wrong tree. You’re not talking about civil society, in fact. You’re talking about just one small revolutionary part of it that is represented by the likes of Sksela, CRD-TI Armenia and others.
That’s fine, but don’t deny the fact. Sksela is an anti-government movement designed to spring into action at times of elections to mobilize youth. That’s all I’ve said above, and that’s something that others in Sksela deny. However, you have pretty much just admitted to it, or at least outlined your interest in the organization. Anyway, sorry, Nessuna, you’re naive, you need something to believe in and be part of it. You follow Sksela like it’s a cult.
Anyway, we’ll see about Sksela in the coming months as the election approaches. Teaming up with pro-revolution organizations such as CRD-TI Armenia who openly say they will do anything to prevent Serzh Sarkisian from becoming president, I think Sksela has already made it clear.
Comment by Onnik — October 13, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Oh, and about the security, at the gate they were rude, aggressive and shouting abuse at the potential audience queuing up. I complained, and before I confronted the guards I actually rang Nessuna who was inside as part of the Sksela organizers to come and sort it out. I specifically mentioned that I had a journalist accreditation which security were ignoring.
Her response was “Sorry, I can’t do anything.” She also didn’t even bother to come to the entrance to see.
So. what we have is the following. Sksela members and its sympathizers say nothing was wrong with the security. However, as you can see from the comments on this blog, others not biased by being members of Sksela disagree. Garo even walked away and said to hell with this concert given that in the years he’s been in Armenia, he’s also never seen security like Sksela’s at ANY event he’s attended.
Comment by Onnik — October 13, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
The URL to the other blogger, Christina, has changed so the link above does not work now.
It’s now:
http://mi-or.blogspot.com/2007/10/rock-for-freedom_08.html
Comment by Onnik — October 13, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
BTW: It’s interesting to note that two (three?) of Sksela’s members are attacking this post as if I’m the only one who is complaining about the event last Sunday. It’s almost as if similar comments made by others, three local Armenians and one Diasporan, are being purposely overlooked as if to say the only person who had a problem with the way the event was staged is me.
In actual fact, Silver (comment #3), Anush (comment #4), Anais (comment #14) and Christian aka Garo (comment #21) say pretty much the same thing, but Observer, Nessuna (Tirami Su), Aramazd and Nazarian have not even bothered to refer to their similar complaints. So you don’t have to scroll all the way up to the top, I reproduce them below.
Q.E.D.
Comment by Onnik — October 13, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Onnik, I am sorry what do you mean security ignored your card? Is the card giving you a privilege not to stand in the queue? Before you called my mother called me too. I could not hear a word she was saying just like I could not hear the word you were saying when you called. I came down to see what she wanted. She was in the queue and she shouted to me to please get her , so she didn’t not need to wait. I shouted back “Sorry, Mom, I cannot do anything,” because it would not be fair to to get her simply because she is my mother. When you called I could not hear what you were saying, but I assumed it’s the same problem of queue. I didn’t come down to see what exactly it is because I was in the middle of an interview with a journalist. As soon as it was over I came down typing you an sms as I walked only to see you are already inside.
It is not only you complaining about security but others as well. Yet the others seem to complain about mere fact of security being present, or the mere fact of their bags being checked, I did not hear about them complaining about security shouting abuses. Sorry, I do not think you are being fair.
p.s. There were only 10 security guys, and over 850 people.
Comment by Nessuna — October 15, 2007 @ 3:44 am
Anais, some sksela guys and some non sksela guys were not observed by the guardians because they were inside before the security arrived. I can assure you that those sksela guys did not have any alcohol, if that makes you feel better. (And by the way you could still enter with a beer in a plastic bottle). Security did check and confiscated a swiss knife from a sksela guy who had a sksela badge btw.
Comment by Nessuna — October 15, 2007 @ 3:59 am
Oh God, it’s the let’s inflate the numbers game again. Firstly, there was seating for on;y 400 people maximum. Secondly, there were whole sections at the end where people were not sitting and apart from a crowd towards the front, it was quite possible to move around through people standing at the sides. I dispute your figure of 850, basically. I’d say you attracted around 400. Maximum, 500, if you count those people who came at the beginning but left before the end.
Given that larger rock festivals at the Puppet Theatre attract about 500 people, including those held free, I’m guessing that the numbers would have been similar given that the same people probably attended. As I said, towards the end when people were standing towards the front, whole rows were empty at the back where I went to sit and talk to Anush and Arik from Bambir.
As for security abusing people, I heard this, people with me heard this, and I told you and others when I entered because I complained to you so don’t give me your Sksela bullshit. As for my journalist’s press card — official international media accreditation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — it is against the law to prevent a journalist from carrying out their work and during the concert, your rent-a-thug refused to recognize the card and allow me to do my work by getting into position in places where friends of Sksela without even your own passes were already photographing.
Anyway, long and the short of it is that you’re a hypocrite. Had this security been supplied by the State you’d be screaming foul. As it is, you won’t accept that you made a mistake. Still, I say again, from now on, because of the arguments you give for needing that security, I hope that you won’t complain when police frisk and search people attending Sksela events now that you do it to your own people, and when they too treat people rudely. Ironically, if they do, I’ll complain as well because unlike you, I’ll speak out about such things regardless of who’s responsible.
Long and the short of it, however, is that only Sksela and two HHSh supporters are saying nothing was wrong with the security. Everyone else I’ve spoken to says there was a huge problem and agrees with my complaints. There were people who saw and heard security abuse people trying to get in, and as you remember, I raised this point with them and you. Speak to people calmly and say please, I said. On that basis alone, the police were much better than the goons Sksela wasted British taxpayers money on although I suspect more money came from elsewhere.
Otherwise, I would still like to know why my Embassy gave $3-5,000 to an unregistered organization in Armenia even regardless of the fact that one of your main organizers is the husband of the woman in the Embassy responsible for such things. Of course, such information won’t be forthcoming because Sksela is not an open or transparent [unregistered] organization although there’s a growing need for it to become one so such information is accessible for those monitoring the transparency of the coming election.
BTW: Talking of badges, as I left before the end, one of the musicians performing asked me what I thought of his band’s performance. “It was ok,” I said, “although I’m tired of this security and Sksela.”
He looked down to the ground, looked up and took his Sksela badge off. “Yes,” he said. “You’re right.”
Now, are you going to respond to Silver, Anush and Garo’s criticisms of the security and the way the event was organized and how Sksela appears to be getting to big for its boots even without any real support base in society? I’d also say that as Sksela believes such security and searches are necessary, the Yerevan police should now do the same. Ironically, however, they won’t, but if they did, you’d be complaining much louder than I am. As I said, it’s one rule for you guys, but not for others. It’s about politics and the fact that Sksela is a political movement dressed up as one supposedly interested in “freedom” and “democracy.”
For now, at least. As the election draws closer, we’ll all be able to see what the intent is behind Sksela. That is, it is a partisan political movement which is working closely with partners interested only in one part of the radical opposition. I know for a fact, for example, that this is CRD/TI Armenia’s position on the election and in my opinion, this is not democracy. It is just one part of the political system fighting against another.
Comment by Onnik — October 15, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Oh, and btw, yes, official accreditation for journalists usually does allow them immediate access to events so they can actually report on such things. Only goes to show just how amateurish Sksela is and how it doesn’t understand how to deal with the media which is just one point I’ve already raised in these comments. Otherwise, what any organization who understands how to operate properly does is openly announce that there is a need for event accreditation including the provision of identity cards, something that Sksela did not do.
Official accreditation such as that issued to foreign journalists in Armenia are more commonly called Press Passes with the emphasis on the word “Pass.”
Anyway, as you know because I raised this issue with you and a number of other Sksela people, this was not my main issue. The main problem was that security was not able to properly man and administer the entrance point for the event. It was a free for all with them treating those in line like animals. And this is in addition to the fact that the security was UNPRECEDENTED for any event, including larger rock concerts held here and public meetings where the prime minister and president is present, I’ve attended in Yerevan.
Comment by Onnik — October 15, 2007 @ 10:47 am
The number of seats was 820 something. You may call Moscow cinema and ask, I didn’t count the seats but thats what they told us. Some of sksela guys (Arthur for one) agree that security was an issue, and you are aware of the fact.
Oh and also if you want to ask Isabella a question, you do not do that in the middle of the concert when she is busy and when it is so loud she cannot hear what you are saying. You also ask your questions in a calm voice, I am sure you’d get a better response. For financing why don’t you contact Embassy and ask?
That’s all I have to say.
Comment by Nessuna — October 15, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
Nessuna, I asked Isabella at a past event a few months ago about where Sksela got their funding. She said, “Oh, you know, lots of places.”
I said, “I heard the British Embassy paid for a few events.”
A look of shock appeared on her face and she said nothing.
“You mustn’t write that in your article,” she said, almost panicked.
Of course, I had no choice but to because that is my job even if too much about Sksela is kept hidden.
As for the British Embassy, yes, you’re right. I should contact them and was thinking of doing so today.
After that last question to Isabella I did contact the Embassy again and received an email from Naira Sultanyan regarding the abortive attempt to hold a Rock For Freedom event saying, “Yes, we funded past events and we want to do that now because we believe in the groups message. Incidentally, if you have any ideas we would also hear from you as well.”
Hmmm, was that a offer of a bribe, I wonder? And anyway, why won’t Sksela come clean? Maybe because international missions often request recipients not to disclose fully their support for fear of political repercussions as I know first hand from the parliamentary election. Anyway, Sksela saying ask the British Embassy is not the right response if it wants to be seen as transparent and open.
As for the number of seats, well, I could be wrong, but at the beginning of the event I counted them and found them to be around 400. However, I could be mistaken as could you. The cinema’s two main halls certainly won’t accommodate anywhere close to 800 each so I’m surprised that their summer hall would be able given that it is not used as much. Still, I could be wrong in my counting at the beginning, but anyway.
Now, you’re doing a great job standing up for Sksela and Isabella, and I’m glad you’ve finally found something you believe in, but let’s agree on the whole point of this post which you’ve finally just about come round to admitting was an issue but haven’t got the decency to admit it or apologize or even recognize that mistakes were made. As it is, you have been trying to avoid the central issue.
That is, many people — and most I spoke to — were APPALLED by the security and believe that is should have been handled differently. As I’ve said, recognize the fact and make sure it’s done better in the future. As for Isabella, she’s always evaded questions on Sksela just as the organization always evades identifying its main objectives or even dealing with issues. As it is, Sksela took a leaf out of Prosperous Armenia and the Republican Party and gathered hundreds of youth for a free rock concert.
That is why 95 percent of people went. All of this was paid for by my Embassy — a free rock concert which was used to propagandize for Sksela whether the audience wanted it or not, and regardless of the fact that Sksela is NOT a registered organization (unless someone wants to say different now) and is not clear in its real aims, but has certainly enough pro-HHSh and Impeachment/Republic party people involved among the organizers.
And with that, end of subject. People can make their own minds up. Certainly, as the election draws closer we’ll see that Sksela will take on the function as other similar groups it has been modeled on. That is, it is a pro-opposition, pro-revolution movement that will be called upon to supply a few dozen youth for political rallies and demonstrations when the need arises. In the meantime, Sksela has at least sent one precedent.
It managed to deploy a far greater and more intimidating security presence, ironically in the name of “freedom,” than any other organization and even the government in my 9 years of being here. The police would have been better than those guys and actually, Sksela wardens who could control the line much better. A total waste of British taxpayers money and a mistake that I hope my Embassy will not repeat again.
Yes, you’re right, I will send my questions to the Embassy and the Ambassador tonight. Let’s see if they will respond given that Sksela refuses to. As a British citizen AND journalist, I have that right.
Comment by Onnik — October 15, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
Ok, I’ve been trying to find out the number of seats for the Summer Hall, but no joy. However, I did a rough count at the beginning and I made about 400. As I said though, I could be wrong on this.
Nevertheless, the combined number of seats in the two main indoor Moscow Cinema Halls appears to be 841 (491 and 350 seats in each of the two) according to this site:
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/18086/
Therefore, I’m guessing that my initial estimate based on counting the number of seats per row and then multiplying by rows was right because it didn’t look to me as though the outdoor Summer Hall is bigger than the main indoor hall and I wouldn’t have expected it to be either. Still, it’s another issue that needs looking into.
Can anyone who actually knows give us the number of seats for the summer hall, but also please identify your source.
Comment by Onnik — October 15, 2007 @ 5:03 pm