This afternoon's efforts by non-governmental groups and political parties to urge Jakarta to withdraw its declaration of martial law in Aceh was hampered by the Indonesian embassy's refusal to receive the o­ne-page anti-war memorandum.

After a half-hour wait, representatives of the 24 organisations endorsing the memo were told by guards stationed at the embassy gates that no officer of the embassy would receive the document in person.

This was despite receiving prior assurance from the embassy that a representative of the Indonesian government would meet with them. About 50 individuals with flags and banners were present outside the embassy gates to pledge solidarity with the people of Aceh.

The memorandum called o­n the Indonesian government to cease all military operations in Aceh, and urged for a return to negotiations, particularly to the 5-month old peace truce - the Cessations of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) - brokered by the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue that accorded protection to civilians.

Memo taken back

"The embassy had earlier promised that someone would be here to receive the memorandum, but now we understand that the ambassador has asked that we pass the document to the security guards," said Parti Rakyat Malaysia secretary-general Sanusi Othman whose party was among the memorandum's endorsers.

"We regret that the embassy has refused to come forward to receive the memorandum. If this is the case, it will be better for us to take the memorandum back with us," he added.

According to memorandum representative and human rights activist Yap Swee Seng, today's events was indicative of Jakarta's hypocrisy over Aceh.

"Since Indonesia believes that the United States cannot intervene in Iraq, then let there be no double standards applied against Aceh," said Yap.

"If the Indonesian government had shown readiness to step forward and dialogue with all parties, I believe that the situation (in Aceh) would not have happened today," said Yap, who is a coordinator with human rights organisation Suaram.

Over this past weekend, while renewed attempts at negotiations between the separatists Gerakan Aceh Merdeka and Jakarta were being made in Tokyo, Indonesian troops were already amassing in the troubled province.

Release prisoners

Negotiations failed when the rebels refused to give in to Jakarta's new demands that were not included in the original peace plan - abandon aspirations for independence and to lay down their arms. Hours later, martial law was declared by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

The memorandum, originally meant for the Indonesian government but now released to the press, had also urged for the release of all political prisoners and the creation of an independent commission to investigate killings in the Joint Security Commission.

The JSC was established under the December CoHA with members from GAM, HDC and international observers from Thailand, the Phillippines and Norway. Human rights groups in Aceh have recorded numerous incidents of militia attacks o­n civilian and international observers, and the offices of JSC.

The joint memorandum also criticised the codename for the Indonesian operation - Rencong Sakti - for making references to genocide. It is estimated that 35,000 Indonesian soldiers are now in Aceh.

According to a Reuters report, the Indonesian army as of yesterday evening has claimed to have killed 38 Aceh rebels ever since offensives began o­n Monday. This is the biggest offensive by the Indonesian army since the 1975 invasion of East Timor.

Malaysia to intervene

Calls were also made for Malaysia to intervene as mediator, given its role as current chair of both the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, and as a member of Asean.

"We would like Asean governments to interfere and to send in conflict monitors to prevent the further loss of innocent lives," said Keadilan supreme council member Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

He said that the problems in Aceh are not Indonesia's alone, as this issue can easily spill over neighbouring countries, negotiations must take place immediately.

PSM pro tem chairperson Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim said that Malaysia should not view the military offensives in Aceh through the narrow lens of 'protecting territorial sovereignty', and to allow that to hamper it from providing solutions to the conflict.

"What we are seeing now is beyond considerations of Indonesian sovereignty. We are witnessing genocide, massacre of civilians, and bloodshed in the name of protecting sovereignty.

"This issue transcends boundaries...rather than viewing this as Indonesia's own problem, we should view this as a human rights problem," added Dr Nasir.