Some refugees set to leave Australian ship: Indonesia

TANJUNG PINANG, Indonesia (AFP) – A group of about 20 Sri Lankan asylum seekers holed up on board an Australian customs ship in Indonesia have agreed to come ashore, the foreign ministry said Friday.

The group, part of 78 ethnic Tamils on the Oceanic Viking anchored off Bintan island near Singapore, could begin leaving the ship as soon as Friday to go into Indonesian immigration detention, spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told AFP.

"We are not very sure when, but the indication that they will be coming off the boat is quite clear," Faizasyah said, adding it was likely the migrants would begin leaving the ship in the next few days.

"It's definitely going to happen."

The Sri Lankans, who have already had their refugee claims accepted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, have been assured of rapid resettlement, Faizasyah said.

Asked if resettlement would be in Australia, Faizasyah said: "I believe so." He added that the Oceanic Viking had been granted permission to stay in Indonesian waters for another week with the remaining asylum seekers on board.

Australian media had earlier reported an agreement had been reached for the group of Tamil refugees to leave the ship in return for resettlement in Australia within four to six weeks.

The migrants have refused to leave the ship and have their claims heard in Indonesia after being plucked from the sea by the Australians in Indonesia's search-and-rescue zone last month.

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans told Sky News some of the migrants were ready to leave the ship but refused to be drawn on numbers or a specific timetable.

"We have traditionally taken the bulk out of Indonesia ... I would expect that pattern to be evident dealing with this group as well," Evans said.

"I would expect us to be taking the larger proportion of the group.

"We're hopeful some will start to come off soon. I don't expect them all to come off at once but we will hopefully see some movement in the next day or so."

The standoff has caused a political headache for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has been under pressure over increasing arrivals that have seen over 1,600 boat people this year seeking asylum from countries such as Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.