Oceanic Viking given another week

06 November 2009 | 02:37:01 PM | Source: AAP/SBS

asylum_srilanka_091101_B_aap_631496519

Asylum seekers have refused to leave the Oceanic Viking, insisting they do not want to return to Indonesia (AAP)

Indonesia has given Australia another week to resolve the Oceanic Viking asylum-seeker impasse.

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Senior Indonesian diplomatic sources say the country's Department of Foreign Affairs and military have both cleared the Australian customs vessel to stay in Indonesia until November 13.

Australia now has more time to persuade 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to leave the ship and enter an Indonesian detention centre.

Australia has been trying for almost two weeks to convince the ethnic Tamils to voluntarily leave the Oceanic Viking and enter the Tanjung Pinang Detention Centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan.

They have refused, adamant they want to be taken to Australia even though the ship rescued them in international waters within Indonesia's rescue zone.

'No hope' of breaking deadlock

AAP understands the extension will be announced after Indonesia's Department of Transport gives the all clear, which is not expected to be a problem.

Diplomatic and security clearance for the ship to remain in Indonesia had been due to expire at midnight on Friday but Indonesia has agreed to give officials another week to persuade the Sri Lankans to leave the boat.

The extension comes despite the views of Indonesia's most senior diplomatic official in Tanjung Pinang, Sujatmiko, who said on Thursday there was no hope of breaking the deadlock and the vessel should return to Australia.

In a written message thrown overboard on Thursday, the asylum seekers again made it clear they have no intention of coming ashore in Indonesia.

"We want to resettle to Australia, they told us we must go to Indonesia, but we are not ready to go back to Indonesia," they said.

"This is our final decision. If Australian try to force back to Indonesia, we are going close our life in the ocean."

 

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Your Comments

09 Nov 2009 19:08 AEST

Ron Hatton

From: Bogangar NSW

Mr

Prime minister Rudd and his government's willingness to be dictated to by foringners such as thoes now occupoying the Australian Customs vessel is indicative of weak leadership. I believe it is fair comment to say that the Australian people will send a clear message at the next ellection to the Rudd Government, and any future Federal Government, that they the Australian people will not tollorate weak leadership when it comes to our nation's boarders and security.

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07 Nov 2009 21:15 AEST

Derek Davenport

From: Darwin

Asylum Seekers

Question: What is the difference between the gang of illegals who have hijacked the 'Oceanic Viking' and the Somali pirates operating off the East Coast of Africa? Answer: Nothing! They are all criminals.

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06 Nov 2009 19:45 AEST

Des McA

From: Cremorne Pt

Australians all let us cave in

Lots of "we demand" and "we will not accept" statements from the people who are occupying Australia's customs vessel. I wonder if Rudd will just give them what they want and show Australia as a weak as water place that is a soft touch. All to be followed up with a tough talking meaningless press conference of course. Onya Rudd.

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