A regional coalition of Muslim non-government organisations has urged Asean governments embroiled in internal conflict to resolve their differences with opposition groups peacefully without resorting to military means.

The Kuala Lumpur-based Asean Muslim Youth Secretariat (Amsec) said the recent deterioration in three separate disputes in Aceh, Burma and Mindanao have to be dealt with quickly as prolonged confrontation would destroy Asean's reputation as a peaceful, free and neutral zone.

On the Aceh situation, Amsec said both the Indonesian military and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) should stop their offensive immediately and return to the negotiation table to settle their differences.

"Amsec is disappointed with the Indonesian government for increasing their attacks on Aceh to the point of sacrificing innocent citizens.

"We are also disappointed with the continued insistence of GAM to separate Aceh from Indonesia as such a move would not bring any benefit to Muslims. (GAM should) consider the autonomic powers offered by the Indonesian government to implement syariah (religious) rule," said the organisation in a press statement.

PAS youth leader Mahfuz Omar is the chairperson of Amsec.

Brotherhood goal

Amsec said the two warring sides should lay down their weapons and allow for negotiations to start once again. "Both parties must go beyond their narrow sentiments, and instead work to uphold Muslim brotherhood."

According to the organisation, non-government organisations in Indonesia should play a bigger role in stopping the Aceh war.

"These organisations, particularly Muslim NGOs, should place themselves in the position of a middleman to push for the government to stop their attacks and for GAM to lay down their weapons," it said.

"If such conflicts are not resolved, they would bring a negative impact on Asean's image."

Keep the US out

Amsec also deplored the intensified armed conflict in the southern regions of the Philippines.

"The initiatives by Kuala Lumpur to bring together Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end the bloody conflict ought to be honoured by Manila.

"The Kuala Lumpur negotiations are very important in finding a peaceful resolution. Manila must put aside its ego and be prepared to hear the views of the Mindanao people. The MILF should also stop their attacks and respect this attempt at a peaceful settlement," it said.

However, Amsec also criticised the Philippines' decision to increase its military strength in Mindanao to wipe out the secessionist movement.

"We are opposed to Manila's move to involve the United States, itself a terrorist nation, in its internal struggles. Internal conflicts must be resolved internally by Manila according to the Asean spirit without inviting foreign powers into the region."

Amsec said the decision by the Philippines to launch its outright attack on the southern rebels would not only invite intervention by a foreign power but may eventually jeopardise the stability of the region.

Backward step

Meanwhile, the Muslim NGO also criticised the Burmese government for detaining pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi since late last month.

"The detention not only brought about increasing tensions in the country but it represented a step backwards even as the world starts to accept human rights and democracy as necessary principles in a modern political system," it said.

Amsec also urged Rangoon to consider the effects that its actions has had on Asean.

"(Rangoon) must accept the reality...and release Suu Kyi immediately so that democracy can be brought to life in (Burma) to further ensure the stability of the Southeast Asian region," it said.

The three internal conflicts addressed by Amsec had their origins in the post-colonial years between the 1960s and 1970s in all three countries.

Three-decade conflicts

The Aceh conflict first took direction with the formation of GAM in 1976 by Hasan di Tiro - a descendant of the last Sultan of Aceh - to seek the independence of the province.

Although Aceh was officially incorporated into an independent Indonesia following the departure of the Dutch colonialists, GAM has argued that Aceh was never fully controlled by the Acehnese and had never been consulted as to their wishes upon independence.

The MILF, on the other hand, came into being as a splinter group of the larger Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which was set up in the 1970s to seek the right to set up an independent Islamic southern Philippines.

While the MNLF has accepted the government's autonomy offer, the MILF and another splinter group, the Abu Sayyaf, have continued to call for independence.

Clashes between the two sides intensified over the past few months, particularly after Manila sought the help of the US to wipe out the movement for allegedly carrying out terrorist attacks.

The Burma conflict originated from a coup led by Burmese general Ne Win in the 1960s which ousted a civilian government. Since then, the mlitary has played a major role in ruling the country.

However, Aung San Suu Kyi - the daughter of Burma's independence hero General Aung San, became involved with the struggle for democracy after her National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in the country's 1990 elections.

Following the cancellation of the election results, Suu Kyi and her party had continuously clashed with the ruling junta over the military's role in running the country.