AP-A U.N. official called the brutal massacre last month of eight ethnic Vietnamese

in Kampot province a racist attack by Khmer Rouge guerillas.

"It was an anti-Vietnamese action," UNTAC Deputy Representative Behrooz

Sadry said.

A formal investigation by UNTAC's Civilian Police Component concluded that the July

21 assault was conducted by Khmer Rouge soldiers.

Twenty to thirty Khmer Rouge guerillas burst into Tuk Meas village and slayed two

Vietnamese families after failing to find a Vietnamese man they had been seeking,

Sadry said.

The Khmer Rouge, which Sadry said have been known to operate in the government-controlled

area, has repeatedly denied responsibility for the massacre.

At first it appeared government troops were to blame because U.N. officers said a

unit stationed nearby did nothing to stop the hour-long attack.

But Sadry said that witnesses' testimony and other evidence proved the government

soldiers did try to catch the assailants and that Khmer Rouge guerrillas were to

blame.

There are no specific suspects, so UNTAC cannot determine if the guerrillas were

acting on orders, Sadry said.