REFUGEE

SWEDEN has rejected a request to resettle the 78 Tamil asylum-seekers rescued by the Oceanic Viking, increasing the likelihood Australia will take them.

The rejection came as the number of unauthorised boat arrivals this year breached 2500, after the interception of a boat carrying 53 people 20 nautical miles northwest of Christmas Island yesterday.

A total of 52 boats have arrived in Australian waters, carrying 2520 people, about half of whom remain in immigration detention.

Ten Sri Lankan Tamils arrived in Brisbane yesterday after being granted refugee status by the federal government. The Tamils, who were in detention on Christmas Island, are understood to be among more than 80 boatpeople granted residence in recent days.

Several of the men said they were "very happy", but were told by officials not to comment. They will stay in motels until they can be settled in Brisbane with the help of government advocates and the local Tamil communityThe Swedish government ruled out accepting any of the Tamils who initially refused to leave the Oceanic Viking unless they were taken to Australia. After four weeks, they disembarked having secured a deal with the government to resettle in a third country within four to 12 weeks.

It is understood Sweden was one of several countries approached to take the Tamils. A spokesman for the Swedish Immigration Department, Johan Rahm, said his government was "well aware" of the situation in Indonesia. "But . . . we have not been able to assist," he told The Australian. "The reason is that quite a few of the Tamils seeking asylum in Sweden are granted protection, a fact that limits our ability to assist in this case."

Sweden's refusal to help follows a rebuff from New Zealand Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman, who ruled out taking any of the 78 and criticised the "ad hoc" manner in which the situation had been handled.

However, sources have told The Australian New Zealand is reconsidering its refusal and may take some of the refugees.

It is understood resettlement discussions are under way with several countries. Australian authorities are optimistic at least one other country will take some of the Tamils, although most will end up in Australia. A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Chris Evans said discussions about the Tamils were under way.

"Government officials are in contact with other countries around the world, which also have resettlement programs," the spokeswoman said.