A State of Cambodia policeman was shot and killed early in the morning of July 26

by a guard at the Australian Force Communications Unit on the outskirts of Phnom

Penh.

The shooting occurred when two SOC policemen were chasing an unidentified Cambodian

who tried to escape by scaling the fence into the Australian base. One of the police

then fired his automatic weapon through the locked gate into the compound after the

fleeing suspect.

An Australian guard stationed at a guard box 15 meters from front gate, heard the

gunfire and returned fire, killing one of the policeman.

In a statement released by the Australian Mission, FCU Commanding officer Lt. Col.

Marty Studdert said the shooting was "a tragedy brought on by a set of unfortunate

circumstances."

He also said the incident had been discussed with senior SOC police officers and

a full investigation was underway.

The Khmer who was being pursued at the time of the incident was detained by Australian

guards and later handed over to U.N. police.