http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/philippines-solution-to-sri-lankan-asylum-seeker-crisis/story-e6frgczf-1225796288580
Philippines solution to Sri Lankan asylum-seeker crisis a.. Paul Maley b.. From: The Australian c.. November 11, 2009 12:00AM THE Rudd government is exploring plans to sail the Customs vessel Oceanic Viking to a detention centre in The Philippines or to Christmas Island as hopes fade for a deal to end the three-week standoff. As the impasse between officials and the 78 Tamils aboard the boat dragged into its third week, sources told The Australian the government was preparing contingency plans to move the boat by Friday. Officials in Indonesia, some of whom are privy to negotiations between the Australians and the 78 Sri Lankans, have made clear that patience in Jakarta is wearing thin. The Australian government is still working to broker a solution acceptable to the Indonesians and the Tamils. But sources told The Australian that at least two other options were being explored should negotiations fail. One would involve sailing the boat to Christmas Island, a demand that those on board have consistently made of the Rudd government since their rescue at sea more than three weeks ago. Such a move would be politically disastrous for Kevin Rudd who has said the asylum-seekers must be processed in Indonesia. The second option would be for the Oceanic Viking to disembark its passengers at an International Organisation for Migration-run detention centre in The Philippines. It was not clear last night how advanced the "Philippines solution" was. Nor was it known if the government in Manila had been approached. However, The Australian has confirmed that the option is being discussed within government. The government will seek to have the impasse resolved by Friday, presumably to avoid having the issue carry over into next week's resumption of parliament. Indonesia's patience is wearing thin, with some senior officials saying the Oceanic Viking's clearance to stay at Tanjung Pinang will not be extended after it expires on Friday. It is understood that while Jakarta is sympathetic to Canberra's position, most of the opposition is coming from the local level. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith last night was due to meet his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa in Singapore to discuss the asylum-seeker standoff. Before the meeting, he said Australia would continue to negotiate with Indonesia and the asylum-seekers. "We continue to work very hard to resolve this issue and we're not proposing to put a deadline or a timetable on it," Mr Smith said. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
