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Australian police escort the asylum seekers back to shore - Source: APTN -
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Indonesia will decide on Friday whether to give Australia more time to persuade 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to leave an Australian customs vessel 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 steadfastly refused, adamant they want to be taken to Australia.
Security clearance for the vessel to remain in Indonesia expires on Friday night and it is not yet known whether Indonesia will grant another extension.
One senior Indonesian official, Sujatmiko, said on Thursday there was no hope of breaking the deadlock and the vessel should return to Australia.
But other senior officials have indicated an extension will be granted, meaning the stand-off is likely to drag into a third week.
In a written message thrown overboard on Thursday, the asylum seekers said customs officials were trying to "push" them back to Indonesia.
"They are giving little bit of food every day and they are not allowed to shower," the message said.
"They are using bad word against us.
"These giving more painful to our heart."
The Tamils made it clear they do not intend to come 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.
"This is our final decision.
"If Australian try to force back to Indonesia, we are going close our life in the ocean."
