Australia today began using military force to put over 200 asylum seekers on to the Pacific island of Nauru from a navy ship they have refused to leave for two weeks.
But the operation was stopped almost immediately after Nauru called for a halt to the use of force when the first six asylum seekers taken ashore staged a sit-in protest on a bus that was taking them to a makeshift detention camp.
A spokesman for Australian Immigration Minister Mr Philip Ruddock said the government had decided enough was enough after waiting for the passengers of the HMAS Manoorato agree to have their asylum claims processed on Nauru.
"After more than two weeks of patience and reasonable discussion, we made it clear to the people they could not stay on board the Manoora," the spokesman said.
He said minimal restraint was used to take the first five men and one woman ashore from the Manoora.
Australian media reported the asylum seekers were escorted off the Manooraby troops in battle dress. One may have been handcuffed.
The Manoorahas been moored a few hundred metres off Nauru since arriving there with boat people rescued at the end of August by Norwegian freighter the Tampa.
The Manooraalso picked up hundreds of migrants from other vessels who were rejected by Australia.