United States (US) Ambassador to Zambia has called on all Zambians to get involved in the fight against corruption.
Mr. Booth said it is the duty of all Zambians to take keen interest on how donor funds are utilized as it the ordinary Zambians that suffer the consequences of corruption.
“Its up to the Zambians themselves to take a lead in speaking against corruption in the country so that money put in the economy by donors reaches the intended beneficiaries and is well accounted for”, he said.
Mr. Booth said the US Government will continue providing assistance to countries that uphold good governance and the rule of law.
He said his government will not impose any system of government on any nation in the world but would want to see that the assistance it provides to countries like Zambia reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Mr. Booth was speaking at the American Centre in Lusaka today when he answered questions from journalists and other members of the public on United States President Barrack Obama’s remarks to the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra last Saturday.
He further said the US would provide technical support to the Ministry of Finance in order to enhance transparency in the manner donor money is used.
Mr. Booth said the US government would also offer support to the Zambian government to ensure it enacts the Freedom of Information Act for journalists and members of the public to have access to public documents in order to enhance transparency in the country.
He encouraged journalists in the country to persevere as they endeavor to inform, entertain and educate the public as the nature of their job was risky and very dangerous.
“Reporting and investigating is a very dangerous job and I am aware that journalist all over the world work under very risky situations. But I only encourage the journalists to persevere as that is the nature of their job”, he said.
ZANIS
#1…corruption abash!!!!
timely advise considering what is obtaining on the Zambian political map! sad to say that whistle blowing pa ZED is very risky venture – so you want to think twice before you can embark on it, otherwise wafwa na panga or you also find yourself behind bars like in the case of my sister Rudo fimo-fimo -vs-one Kapoko!!
The U.S. is the most corrupt nation on earth.
These are manipulative and intimidatory attempts by U.S. that are bent on subordinating our sovereignty to their hegemonic ambitions and imperialist interests, falsely presented as matters of rule of law, democracy and good governance.
chapwa, that calls for a good debate!! anyway, who knows your stats could be very right depending on who carried out the census (Mugabe, Saddam or who?)!
first get rid of chi MMD govrnment….then development will follow
There has been billions of dollars gone into zambia in the name of “development” and still we see extraordinary poverty and the inability of the average family to send their children to school and get the equvalent of a secondary level qualification. they cannot afford it, they cannot afford basic health care, basic hygiene (clean water to wash or drink). so yes everyone with an interest in this area should get involved, and that may mean not be taken for a sucker into thinking that everyone in dev countries are honest people. As Pres Obama told African leaders, clean up your local government and the rest of the world can help you. there is something wrong when folks are walking around $$ in their pockets, mercedes in the streets, flat screen TVs side by side object poverty requesting…
I agree totally with Mr Booth, he is dead right !! Zambia wake up!! enough is enough. I love my nation and I pray that God will sustain me long enough to see the good changes that will bring goodwill to all Zambians irrrespectice of what they believe in. Viva all jornalists that are moth peace for all who cannot speak. Abash all the lame ducks in this corrupt Govt . Power must change hands. RB you can try to muzzle the media but you will not break them no matter what you are the weakest link and you ad all your croonies must go, NOW
I will not allow America, or you Mr. Booth, to condemn us as the corrupt nation when you have spilled the blood of human beings. Has Zambia dropped an atomic bomb and killed people in Hiroshima or Nagasaki? Have we killed off millions of Native Americans? How dare you put yourself in that position as a moral judge! I think you should keep quiet! Because with that much blood on Americas hands you have no right to talk.
Yes, there’s corruption in Zambia.Yes, there’s mismanagement of resources.Yes, there is abuse. There is abuse in every nation on Earth including the U.S.
ok Mr. Chapwa.. we get your point.. America should not really be the ones to judge. BUT they do give us a lot of aid and if it only ends up in a handful of pockets, they have every right to question. Billions have been given to Zambia in aid money, but look where we are… it is disgraceful. Ms. Dambisa Moyo was right… this is “Dead Aid”….
Ambassador Booth’s advice is appreciated though not new to democratic Zambia where space for such tenets is evidently sufficient and increasing despite being a young but functionally burgeoning Democracy. His message resonates with our collective aspirations for a strong and better functioning Zambia where opportunities will be for all. What we are seeing as uniquely open and unregulated revelation of past and present acts of corruption such as the ABSA US $100 Million oil scam 0f 2001-2003, MoH ZK 67 Billion of 2005-2008, George Mpombo’s pending ZK ZK100 million ministry of Defense phone bill of 2006-2008 haunting him into resignation, ZAWA scams of 2005-2008, RDA’s roads contract scams running into Billions of ZK 2003-2009 and the ZK 3 trillion scam Mwanawasa announced in 2006…
………the ZK 3 trillion scam Mwanawasa announced in 2006 under his administration but without action is all a result of policy shift. Unlike in the past when Governments regulated what to be investigated and released, Zambia and GRZ have embraced an open door policy towards a people’s society.
Wow!!! #3,#4, Chapwa: What is hegemonic about the statement from the US ambassador??? Encouraging Zambians to fight for it is rightfully theirs is imperialistic?? The US as a country may have done some things around the world that can be considered imperialistic, but to characterize the ambassador’s statement above as imperialistic is simply a cheap shot and lacks the seriousness of mind!!!
Quite frankly, with the kind of rot Zambia is in currently, I would take the American kind of corruption any time!!!!!!!!
Ciroc you are right on the spot. baChapwa you sound like some1 who has just been deported from USA & has just landed himself a job at statehouse! why the bitterness????….. its mere advice which you can take or leave depending on which side of the poverty datum line you belong
I agree with #15 Chapwa does sound like he has a chip on his shoulder. He is bitter and twisted. He sounds like tetamashimba and shikapwasha, arrogant and apain in the backside. America gives so much aid to Africa and the wrold at large, so they ae within their rights to advise or admonish. The zmbians are too afraid to speak out and yet they are experiencing injustice and ubject poverty, what are yu like mate on your bike and find something else to do like watching Big brother maybe that will be stimulating to your tunnel mind air head
#9,#10, Chapwa: Sorry my man, I underestimated the amount of grievances you have against America—-it is now clear, your issue is not necessarily what the ambassador said, right?
Sticking to the issue at hand would help though!!!!
We appreciate Ambassador Booth’s idealistic lecture but remain alive to the fact that like any nation, Zambia would not be successful with an irresponsible press that has resigned itself to playing the subversive and violation of citizens’ rights with impunity. Sustaining this kind of imbalance fuels anarchy and Genocide in young democracies. Corruption is evil and Zambia abhors it. Winning this battle is a matter of continuous support to cultural change and controls because that is exactly what the US where corruption is endemic is doing to overcome this vice. Its not by promoting impunity and anarchy.
Great stuff, but on “Its up to the Zambians themselves to take a lead in speaking against corruption in the country so that money put in the economy by donors reaches the intended beneficiaries and is well accounted for”, it must not only end at sepaking against but reporting to the relevant authorities like that girlfriend to Mr. Kapoko did and seeing to it that something is done about it — even by going to independent media organisations.
This way, Zambians will squeeze the corrupt operations of evil minded characters who deprive the rest of the Nation from benefiting from their due resources.
_
[KJV Bible] Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Just follow how the Tabloid is insulting our mothers, aunties, sisters, daughters and wives as women activists in NGO-CC and Emeli Sikazwe groupthink.They are being insulted as treacherous prostitutes all for their collective in reasoning on social matters different from the holier than thou.Look at Monze’s genocide inclined Radio Sky FM daily broadcasting. instead of informing and uniting Zambians on policy tiers, they have resorted to geocentric and conflict theories of regional secession and making Zambia ungovernable.
Ambassador Booth’s idealistic lectures are not privy to the fact that what Zambia is doing to cab corruption equally endemic in the US, is improve her newly installed “Integrated Financial Management Systems” like any other Democratic Governments are implementing world over. Unless His Excellence has something new to share with Zambians which U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO) uses in the face of similar challenges at her hand. They have trained us in the IFMS as International Management Consultants and systems experts for a better Zambia. We have sold the idea to GRZ as a necessary cost factor which has been invested into.the way forward is not about promoting unchecked subversive gutter journalism but issue based press freedom.
Fine.so what? 48 years old, that’s what zambia is. Now here’s America 233 years old.You love democracy? But you trying to force us into a system, of government that you have just accepted 35 years ago.Black folk got the right to vote. You’re not in any position to tell anybody how corrupt they are. You should be quiet! And let those who know our people go over there and help them get out of the condition. But America should keep her mouth shut wherever there is a corrupt regime.As much hell as America has raised on this Earth.
Iwe Chapwa have you finished watching big brother or east enders? You seem to have missed the point, I suggest that your read what Mr booth was saying before you open your mouth and sounding like tetamashimba
In the US, no media house can infringe citizen’s rights in print by calling them treacherous prostitute and resign itself to daily gutter venting without punitive legal and constitutional recourse. This said, we are privileged to know, google, and independently study these US corruption reports besides many more:
-Republican senator, Ted Stevens of Alaska.
-Corruption named as key issue by voters in exit polls (CNN)
-Homeland Security USA: Corruption among federal agents continues
-Credible and Reasoned Discussion about Government Corruption in Minnesota, and the entire USA (Also look at Florida, Alaska, DC, Connecticut and many more)
-PUBLIC CORRUPTION IN THE UNITED STATES
– Corruption Watchdog Downgrades U.S.
Scandals Hurt America’s Standing; Iraq Ranks…
In the US, no media house can infringe citizen’s rights in print by calling them treacherous p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.e and resign itself to daily gutter venting without punitive legal and constitutional recourse. This said, we are privileged to know, google, and independently study these US corruption reports besides many more:
-Republican senator, Ted Stevens of Alaska.
-Corruption named as key issue by voters in exit polls (CNN)
-Homeland Security USA: Corruption among federal agents continues
-Credible and Reasoned Discussion about Government Corruption in Minnesota, and the entire USA (Also look at Florida, Alaska, DC, Connecticut and many more)
-PUBLIC CORRUPTION IN THE UNITED STATES
– Corruption Watchdog Downgrades U.S.
Scandals Hurt America’s Standing; Iraq Ranks Next-to-Worst
Scandals Hurt America’s Standing; Iraq Ranks Next-to-Worst
By Patrick Donahue
Bloomberg News
Wednesday, November 8, 2006; Page A25
Congressional scandals have damaged America’s standing on a global list that ranks freedom from corruption. The United States ranked 20th least corrupt among 163 countries, down from 17th last year, and scored 7.3 out of 10, a drop of 0.3 compared with 2005, according to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2006.
U.S.have done a hell of a thing on this Earth. So Mr Booth you should not be the one to talk. You should be quiet when it comes to moral condemnation.
Youths need to be taught on how to recognise and report corruption and various levels. rewarding some for reporting these vices may encourage them to do so. currently, youths are also involved in corruption practices.
Senior Citizen could you kindly come out of this closet with your issues with the POST please, I am tired of your continued meticulous propaganda against them. Infact your writing and train of thought is so familiar I could call your name right now, with your level of knowledge you would be of more use to this blogg if you applied your mind at several other development focused issues other than the ‘tabloid’. Sick of your abuse of freedom of speech, will set ZP on you soon…….I know you and your tandem of theives have gotten a cookie out of the tax jar . I know you.
Mr Booth just say “In Lies We Trust”
Don’t forget to pull your troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Chapwa #29 and #30 it is important to appreciate a country that has been helping Zambia. Have you Chapwa done anything significant for the vulnerable population in Zambia( the orphans, schools, hospitals, medicine)?
Mr Chapwa, The money thats being stolen in Zambia comes from Tax payers in the west .FiMMD are busy buying hearses for people like you.Lets get our pride back by fighting Ba pombwe ba mu Zambian MMD government
Corruption is like a cancer. Ba chapwa.our government has bought Fimandamanda 4 people like u. Tax payers in foreign lands have sunk some much cash in our country. lets get our pride back by fighting corruption in Zambia
Chapwa,
You are so wrong and lost. Its folks like you who drag our country backwards by not accepting reality even when our country sinks and swims in corruption and retarded leadership.
#29 and 30 the truth hurts. Has the ambassador touched a spot in your heart that is painful to you. Before you continue screaming are you thinking of thousands of Zambians who have died because of the corrupt practices that have stolen the benefits that they are supposed to be receiving such as good medical attention, good roads, good jobs so that they can feed themselves and their family. Does it hurt you so much that you are realizing that Zambians will know their rights and start exercising them. If you are in Govt or a child of one of them you need to be very ashamed of yourself. Sorry the truth hurts but it needs to be faced so that there is freedom.God bless Zambia.
So LT is this Chapwa a part of you how come the post i just submitted dissapeared . LT you need to come out in the open and declare who you really are and who you support.
I hate it when the bloggers lack interllectual analysis. yes please no donor or funding to a sick govt. Please this is a disfunctional govt.
The truth hurts.Chapwa you need to think of the thousands of Zambians who have died because of selfish corrupt characters who have robbed Zambia in daylight and as a result the majority of Zambians did not receive good medical attention, travelled on bad roads, could not find a good job to feed themselves or their children. Have compassion. If you are part of it you need to be very ashamed of yourself.Has the ambassador touched a very sensitive point in your heart that you keep screaming like someone who doesn’t want to hear the truth.God bless Zambia.
This ifutu could not even alter a word!
Chapwa are you afraid that Zambians will now know their democratic rights and start exercising them. Continue speaking Mr Ambassador ,they are listening and may many more continue to speak as Zambians rise up to exercise their civic rights. God bless Zambia.
When people try to get inolved in the fight against corruption, they get oppressed by the corrupt regime. Just see what happened to the Post editor Chansa.
I don’t share all of Chapwa’s opinnions but I respect his views and always appreciate a critical blogger that reads between the lines.
Even if we get involved,it is still the govt which has to recover these stolen sums but it will take centuries.The snail’s paceof disposing off these cases is what amounts to advanced corruption .This means an ordinary zambian will rely on judiciary but it is a letdown. High Com. Booth must talk about the legal system which seem to have lost its direction following its dealing with ‘HISTORICAL DORA SILIYA SAGA!’ THE LONDON RULING ON CHILUBA, THE SETTING FREE OF REGINA ,THE DR.KATELE STELLA CHIBANDA& OTHERS, ………. .AND NOW THE POST EDITOR.This clearly shows that legal system is compromised.
High Com Booth just tell this rock govt to speedup the disposing-off cases otherwise no zamian can advise RB unless 2011’s poll.
I mean no zambian can advise R&B.
# 40 kasoma wa lunga,
Kanabesa mulikumangalande can’t you prioritize self development over ama polotikisi.I see by your english you have a long way to upgrade yourself.America has no High commissioners but Ambassadors.Thus His Excellence Mr.Booth is Ambassador of the USA to Zambia. And what is this “rock govt to speedup the disposing”?
If Banda’s charade in the executive or Sakala Ernest’s circus on the judiciary bench qualify to be called government, then even Kadansa’s hullucinations or Mpezeni’s idiocricy also qualify to be called governments. At least Kadansa was sometimes right about reshuffles, as for Banda, Sakala and Mpezeni, one wonders why god has endowed only this people with such a sickening wealth of gutless stupidity! Anyway, if there was no likes of the gallant Old Chap Tembo (MHSRIP) and Roger Chongwe, I would have had much more to say about ba Kumawa..
It is common knowledge that the POST has now become a front for covering up and protecting illegal business interests. The desperation on their part for what is coming up against them will overwhelm even their loyal and ardent supporters. The Mangande, group who became their willing partners in crime are busy trying to weave out an escape route. But the law will catch up with them.
#36 & 38
The U.S. know how to creat money out of thin air.Don’t forget About the Iraqs about 1 Million Killed, 4.5 Million Displaced, 1-2 Million Widows, 5 Million Orphans.This was done in your eyes.Who will talk about this?
The blind sheep are ever several miles behind and cant by any stroke concieve the real issues taking place behind the scenes. The POST has become an avenue for divergence and so far the blind seem to have follen in their trap. But for how long? Truth cant be hidden, truth cant be cowed, truth cant be bribed, truth is as it is plain. The sheep must be gently led into seeing the truth. The factors against truth are formidable but not equal to the task. Truth shall prevail.
The post have left their good path to become a front for illegal deals.
Well said Mr Booth. Needless to say more. Suffice it to say that we owe it to ourselves and our posterity.
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Sent on a phone using T9space.com
We have really tried our best which has not been good enough. The problem is that you the international community are the first to pronounce corrupt elections as being free and fair. You know that elections in Zambia are NOT transparent. If you and us will call a spade a spade then we will be speaking the same language. Also what is the American possition on the Ministry of health scandal involving Billions of Kwacha? Iam yet to figure out your interests in Zambia sir.
We are living in a very dangerous Zambia. You dont know who to trust. It happened on the CB that a creditor went to complain to the ACC that the debtor who owed him 14mK was not turning up for the case and the court appeared to side with this debtor. When he went to the court a clerk told him “Oh, mukaye lubulula uko kwine ku Anti Corruption mwaile tuchita report.” It was proved that the same ACC chap he reported was a “friend” to the court clerk and tipped him that Mr. X had made a complaint on the matter to ACC.
How many times have we heard such stories and yet the poor still never get to benefit from these aid monies. Why dont donors get their own people to manage these monies instead of leaving it in the hands of GRZ thieves
Can some body advise NIPA that they must improve their system of registration especially at payments please. We are spending nights in the cold just to be able to register.
#55. What surprises me is that these DONORS will only attack a president for corrupt practices when he is out of power. They even fund the investigations like they are doing now by sponsoring the TASK FORCE ON CORRUPTION BY FTJs gang
Zambians have always reported corruption where ever its urgly head has appeared but the problem has always inteferance from the politicians. Sometimes informants are told to present concrete evidence etc. I hope those in power will heed Mr. Booth’s timely warning. I Quote ” The American government will not impose any system of governance on any country in the world but would ensure that assistance reaches the intended beneficeries”. In a country where corruption is high I do no t see the American Govt continuing to fund us. As Zambians and our country being a democracy we are not going to sit back and watch the fat cats who are already fat mess up the path for this country’s development. We have our future generations and should leave this country on a better footing. Lets be alert &…
#48, this topic is not about the Post….lets stick to the topic at hand please! Coming to the story, i think the US can say whatever they want to because they give us money and they want it to be used for the intended projects. If you dont want to be criticised, then stop accepting their money and see if you will survive.
Zambians have a bigger bone to chew whatever the case. We will definitely find our way out of this mess dear. Meanwhile, its struggling as usual. WEEPING MAY ENDURE IN THE NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.
YES WE CAN.
When one man stands up, then another, Then a few tens ……the a few hundreds……then thousands and finanlly a million to millions of Zambians.
Wow!!!! then it shall dawn for us to define our rules and standards not copyrighted democracy and YES WE CAN with hope reform and refine our Nation where each and every Zambian will sing tha National Anthem FREE indeed, PROUD indeed. This suffering is a lesson and a passin phase. Indeed ZAMBIA WILL BE SAVED.
Again YES WE CAN reshape Zambia.
#60 YES WE CAN reshape Zambia by booting the MMD out of power in 2011!!!
South Africa based members of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) have endorsed the recently formed UPND/PF pact. UPND Johannesburg Chairperson, Sunford Mavu told MUVI TV News in a telephone interview that members based in South Africa have welcomed the pact. He says the members endorsed the pact at a meeting held in Johannesburg yesterday and also attended by some members of the Patriotic Front. Mr. Mavu says the pact is the answer to the challenges Zambians are currently facing. Mr. Mavu says among the
members of the PF that attended the meeting included Patrick Chisanga, Dennis Chengo and Joseph Nkhoma while the entire UPND branch members were present
The US will provide assistance to countries that uphold good governance and the rule of law. Zambia is definitely not one of them, ever since RB came into power. #14 you are right. I’m sure those guys have some Iraqi blood.
Sit Booth, my advice to you is that if you see no reduction in corruption levels in Zambia you must hold back your AID untill these thieves change. It will have no effect since your money does not reach inttended people. It just ends up with the same families day in and day out.
Yes We can boot out the MMD but looking at PF leader M. C. Sata is he not from the same old guards school. The man will not offer anything new. Mind you Bad habits die Hard and you cannot teach an old DOG NEW TRICKS. All we are seeing are the old UNIP tricks being brought Back. It will be very difficult to refoirm the Zambian Governance system. The politicians go and come but trhe civil service remains the same with its type of working culture. Believe or not.
The Us ambassador, Wev really want to get involved in the fight againt corruption,unfourtunately we find ourselves dragged in it,coz of the the selfiness of the pipo in the govt.To get a passport you have to bribe,to get a driver’s licence you have to bribe,to pass the exams you have to bribe,to have a place at one of the two universities you have to bribe,to get a scholarship you have to bribe even when you have the right credentials.Katwishi mwandini eko tuleya as a nation.
On, “US government would also offer support to the Zambian government to ensure….. the Freedom of Information Act for journalists and members of the public to have access to public documents in order to enhance transparency in the country”
I believe this would be a good move by govt.
#66, Matworld, did you bribe somebody to pass your exams?
Any right minded person should find comfort in the words spoken by ambassador Booth. A negation of such timely advise can only be self swerving and out of touch with what is just and good for our citizenry.
Poor Zedns, they will always stretch their ears and necks to hear what a white man is about to say, for how long now have we been telling you about coruption, or u only need to get this from a donor, anyway, i enjoy you contributions.
#69 WE CAN.
How are you today! No my dear I didn’t but Iam sure you have been following what has been happening in our education system concerning the issue of likages, a person can never be given a likage without bribing,anaother example is at our universities you will find that a person does not evn attend lectures but he/she ends up on top at the end of the semester.My dear if i bribed Iam sure I would have got 6points at grade 12 not the 19points I had.But all these things because of greedy within the nation.
#13 Senior Citizen. Can u shed more light on the K3 trillion that LPM talked about but thereafter kept quiet. At the time the figure seemed improbable but with “kadyonko” from MOH this figure is now probable. My own analysis is that Zambia has not been ruled by angels. Being a senior citizen you will recall a certain Kadansa who used to address workers in Cairo RD telling them how the UK Govt left over a billion pounds at independence which was subsequently mismanaged. How Zambia’s economy was bigger than that of Singapore. And how the justice system was tempered with when murder became a bailable offence after Judge Musumali had sentenced KK’s son to death and the CJ had been hastily recalled from leave.
Chapwa, your posts are right on spot, certain people would rather keep themselves in the dark with the obivous truth. At the moment there is no country that is more corrupt than the USA. The bush administration are yet to be answerable for their crimes during there time and yet this man is telling us to join the fight against corruption. Why don’t they show us Zambians how to fight corruption by dealing with thier own corruption? The Bush admin awarded themselves US$ billions contracts during the Iraq and afghan invasions (not wars), infact they came up with lies to justify the war so that they can award themselves contracts in the army and the reconstruction of Iraq which they gladly boomed killing millions of innocent people. Send Bush and Co. to the ICC and we will believe you sir!
#72, Matworld,
I am fine bro.
On, “anaother example is at our universities you will find that a person does not evn attend lectures but he/she ends up on top at the end of the semester” I know this thing. If you miss lectures you have to photocopy notes from your friends and study them. We called it UNZA – catch – up. It is very possible that the one who photocopies will study the notes and the owner does not. It works well indeed if one knows what he is doing. Many times there is no clear advantage of attending a lecture, though I rarely missed one!
Why do donors give funds to governments if they know that they donations won’t reach the intended beneficiaries, why not fund the beneficiaries directly? I support what Dambisa Moyo wrote in her book, we don’t need aid, we want trade. The West have put up all kinds of restrictions on trade rules thereby blocking Africa from engaging in meanful trade with them, that is corruption of the highest order Mr. Both. What are you doing about that? The biggest form corruption we adopted in Zambia is the so called ‘democratic’ system funded and propagated by the west, that is what is eating the very fabric of our society because under multi party democracy, corruption seems to be only increasing with no hope of stopping any time soon.
with hunger.. you think i can waste any more of my energy on a fight of corruption,, americans should think sometimes
Bwana Ambassador. The people have to arms or means to fight with. If our national leaders themselves enter offices by corrupt means how can they genuinely fight corruption? If corruption existed in many forms, they would then fight only those forms that put them in advantegous positions… The immediate fight is against poverty for a common Zambia…
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