Television Kampuchea (TVK)
Video Transcript translated from Khmer
Cambodian National Television in Cambodian, TVK, on Sunday 17 September 2006, broadcast after its 0500 GMT newscast a two-and-a-half hour video report consisting almost entirely of a speech by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen who harshly criticized Prince Norodom Ranariddh for calling for the establishment of a "national front" and for power to be handed over to former king Norodom Sihanouk. Hun Sen was inspecting farming activities in Saep commune, Kampong Tralach district in the central province of Kampong Chhnang.
On 14 September Ranariddh, leader of FUNCINPEC party and son of former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk, appealed for the establishment of a movement to unite the nation [cholana bang-ruop bang-ruom cheat]. On the same day, 14 September, Prince Sisowath Thomico, Sihanouk's nephew who recently launched a new political party, [ronak-se sangkum cheat niyum], echoed Ranariddh's appeal and called "for power to be handed over" to the former king.
In his lengthy speech Hun Sen reacted to the above moves by Ranariddh and Thomico and openly give warnings to his detractors saying that he wound deal with them using every means, including military. Hun Sen also stressed that he "will not hand over power" to Sihanouk as demanded "even if" Sihanouk accepted to take it.
The video report first showed Hun Sen taking part in farming activities with local peasants, including driving a mechanical plow and transplanting rice, and also briefly chatting to villagers before giving his informal speech lasting for some two hours warning Ranariddh and other members of the Cambodian royal family without identifying some of them by names.
Sitting on a mat under a makeshift shelter with several government officials behind him as he began his speech Hun Sen reminded the audience that the last time he came to Kampong Tralach district was in 2004 to give some water pumps. Hun Sen said he had just returned from the 10-11 September Asia-Europe meeting in Helsinki on 16 September where he requested "another $100 million" loan from China in addition to the recently approved $200 million. Hun Sen also mentioned China's aid to renovate the Council of Ministers office.
Turning to the land dispute issue, Hun Sen said that some of the people had sold their land in order to help political parties in the hope of being made district or commune chiefs. He contrasted the policy of his Cambodian People's Party [CPP] of helping farmers to have land instead of people selling their land to help the party. Hun Sen talked about resolving farming problem starting with providing water for agricultural production to increase production on the same plot of land, and the need to move people to new land to produce rice grown without chemical fertilizers as required by European market.
Talking about the achievements under Sihanouk's Sangkum Reas Niyum era, Hun Sen said: "Now, let's talk about it a bit more clearly. I'm not putting down the Sangkum Reas Niyum. At that time, it was great what our Samdech Euv [Sihanouk's popular nickname] could achieve. Now, when they talked about making it as glorious as during the Sangkum Reas Niyum era [...] should we reduce current roads by four meters leaving only seven meters? And the road from Kracheh [province] to the Lao border, should it be narrowed down by five meters to only four meters? There should be no video while about four-fifths of schools have to be pulled downed and only one radio station left."
Continuing on this theme Hun Sen said that Cambodia had been going downhill since the Angkor period with its territory greatly reduced and mentioned the "efforts" of the late kings Ang Duong and Norodom, and also of retired king Sihanouk to preserve the current territory, adding that "each era is different" and each phase has its own standard."
Talking about digging wells for people, Hun Sen turned a bit emotional when he recalled some details of how his mother died of injury at the age of 78. According to Hun Sen, his mother's ribs were fractured and she died by the time she was taken to hospital during the "5-6 July [ 19] 97 event," when an armed clash broke out in Phnom Penh between troops loyal to Ranariddh and those loyal to Hun Sen. That event resulted in First Prime Minister Ranariddh being ousted from power by Second Prime Minister Hun Sen. Hun Sen said that without that event "my mother would not have died."
Hun Sen went on to talk about the longevity of his ancestors mentioning 92 and 93 as the ages of his mother's parents when they died, and 84 of his still living father. Hun Sen then talked about the demands made "over the past few days in Kampong Chhnang province" calling for "the abolishment of the Royal Government" and for "power to be handed over to His Majesty our former king Samdech Euv."
Hun Sen said: "There was also a statement issued in Kampong Chhnang for setting up a front and inviting His Majesty to be its leader." Hun Sen added: "You're preparing a constitutional coup. Please watch out for Hun Sen's reaction in a move initiated by him to defend to Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia. My mother died because of this sort of things, but I'm not holding grudge against this."
Hun Sen then mentioned the 15 September denial by Sihanouk [posted in Sihanouk's website on 16 September] and also Queen Monineat Sihanouk's message conveyed to him through "Nanu", the royal palace chief of protocol; and Palace Minister Kong Sam-ol, stressing that Sihanouk did not agree with those demands. He also cited a telephone call to him from Khiev Kanharit, information minister and also CPP spokesman, on the night of 16 September in which the minister stressed the queen's decision "to sever relations with this nephew [Thomico]" and "to chase" the latter "out from the palace."
Continuing Hun Sen said: "I think they are trying to find pretexts to topple me through the so-called demand to hand over power to Samdech Euv [Sihanouk]. His Majesty did not accept this. But even if he did, I will not give it to him. Let's be clear [brief applause] as this would be betraying the people's will."
Hun Sen criticized Ranariddh who talked only about Article 90 of the Constitution while ignoring Article 78, which Hun Sen read, providing details on how the National Assembly could be dissolved. Hun Sen said: "Prepare your coffin if you want to dissolve the National Assembly."
Hun Sen then recalled a chapter of Cambodian history 500 years ago when a king, Srei Sokunbot, "woke up from a dream" and unsuccessfully tried to kill Sdech Kan, a commoner who eventually became Cambodian king. Hun Sen said: "I and Sdech Kan were born in the same year of the dragon". Many Southeast Asian countries use a 12-animal cycle astrology in which the dragon is considered as one of the most powerful signs.
Hun Sen also threatened to review the budget the government allocated to the retired king, knowing that Sihanouk has been giving $600 a month to Thomico. Hun Sen said: "If His Majesty has not yet done so [stop the monthly salary], I suggest you do it now, otherwise I will review this budget again." Hun Sen also revealed that in Sihanouk's previous report on how the allocated budget allocated was used, "a total of $600,000 was used in two periods, a portion of which could have been used on this guy [Thomico]."
Continuing Hun Sen talked about Article 119 in the Constitution stipulating that the king would appoint a personality "among the elected National Assembly members from the party that won the election to form a government". He said: "His Majesty, our Samdech Euv, has never been a National Assembly member; thus, how could he be prime minister? You have to be a National Assembly member in order to be prime minister." Hun Sen then immediately added: "Because the prime minister was not a National Assembly member that there was a gun battle in the heart of Bangkok in [ 19] 92; because Suchinda was not a National Assembly member." "Thus how do you expect me to agree with this; the king did not agree with it."
Hun Sen also talked about Article 125 on the appointment of a new prime minister, which could only be done when the prime minister died or resigned, and jokingly said amid laughter by the audience: "In the event I died or resigned, all these ministers, government members will automatically go. So, don't pray for my death or you'll also disappear."
For the next nearly 30 minutes or so Hun Sen turned to criticizing Ranariddh in person recalling and exposing the latter's activities, and questioning Ranariddh's sincerity as a partner in the government. Hun Sen also revealed his telephone conversation with Ranariddh when the latter stopped in Siemreab first on his return to Cambodia after a long absence to see his father Sihanouk in mid-August. In that phone conversation Hun Sen said he asked three things from Ranariddh: "1. "Do not get people to accuse Nhoek Bunchhai or other officials of selling themselves to Hun Sen."; 2. Do not get people to make threat about removing some FUNCINPEC officials; 3. "Stop people from insulting my wife" and accusing her of causing rift in Ranariddh's family affairs.
Hun Sen also disclosed his decision to suspend and eventually remove from their positions in the government the following four FUNCINPEC officials: State Minister Serey Kosal, Information State Secretary Chea Chanbaribo; Tuot Luch, and Neuv Kasi.
Hun Sen also exposed Ranariddh's past activities cheating the Sam Rangsi Party [SRP] and said that the SRP will not let itself be cheated again this time around.
Questioning Ranariddh's sincerity as partner in the coalition government Hun Sen said that "in this situation I will work with FUNCINPEC general secretary". Hun Sen also disclosed that he thwarted a plan to personally attack senior FUNCINPEC members Rural Development Minister Loe Laysreng, Public Works Minister Sun Chanthol, and Parliament Commission President Li Thuch, and that the party leader [Ranariddh] was not aware of this. Hun Sen said: "I have [changes thought] even if you farted, I knew. There's no way you can hide things from me."
Hun Sen also talked about how sycophants are using former king Sihanouk saying that in the event Sihanouk decided to lead a front or a political party the former monarch would lose his current status of "father of the nation, heroic prince, father of national union", and other things that come with the title, such as a budget form the government and the right to stay in the royal palace, immunity, and so on.
Elaborating on this point Hun Sen said: "The royal palace is only for the king, or the former king, or royal family members who are not engaged in politics, and not for leader of a political party. All expenses for the former king would be immediately cut." Hun Sen further said that if Sihanouk agreed to lead a political party the former king would be considered as equal and no longer be above anyone else and that "the CPP will be the first one" to call for the abrogation of the law granting privileges to the former king and his portrait, now on display in government offices, would also be removed.
Talking about the financial assistance given to Prince Thomico's party, Hun Sen said: "One of these guys [sycophants] told others that [Sihanouk's childhood friend] Ruom Rit contributes 30 percent of the budget to set up the [new] party." Hun Sen immediately added this: "Don't think other people don't know about all this. Only when you can get rid of all those near you first can you eliminate Hun Sen's men around you."
After recalling some more past events about Ranariddh Hun Sen said: "There's another thing. I'd like to reveal, expose all today to end this matter. And this affects the current king and also the authority of the Throne Council. He [Ranariddh] repeatedly had said that he had sacrificed the throne. I informed the king [Sihamoni] I returned from [changes thought] our king is now in France; tomorrow he will visit the Czech and Slovak republics. When the king is in France, I stopped over in France and visited him; we talked for about an hour and a half. I reported to him and talked about this and that. The king said to me: 'Please, Samdech, help preserve the throne.' I then talked about what happened from the beginning."
Hun Sen elaborated on the efforts by him and the CPP to give the throne to Sihamoni, citing those in the Throne Council who voted to make Sihamoni king: Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, Nguon Nhel, Tep Vong, Buo Kri, and himself. Hun Sen also praised Sihanouk for "withdrawing" and gave the Throne Council ample time to select the new king, pointing out details of the Cambodian Constitution. Hun Sen also blamed Ranariddh for resigning from being National Assembly president himself with the hope that Hun Sen would ask him to stay on. Hun Sen warned Ranariddh against playing this game again as it will not work.
After announcing his usual donations to the local population, Hun Sen spent some more 15 minutes to conclude his speech. He said: "I am preparing a political scenario for the government to go on, meaning that there is no change in this government as demanded, unless I died, but I will not die easily. They fired at me but missed."
Hun Sen added:
"Please don't persist. If you did, you are in the wrong, against the Constitution. And when you're against the Constitution, you should know the government's reaction in the defense of the Constitution."
Hun Sen also gave this warning: "If you want to use other ways, I will use every means. I will respond appropriately to what you do. If you opted for military, I'll respond militarily. If you opted for political, I'll respond politically. If you opted for legal, I'll respond legally." "If you used psychological and propaganda warfare, I'll use television, like today."
On 14 September Ranariddh, leader of FUNCINPEC party and son of former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk, appealed for the establishment of a movement to unite the nation [cholana bang-ruop bang-ruom cheat]. On the same day, 14 September, Prince Sisowath Thomico, Sihanouk's nephew who recently launched a new political party, [ronak-se sangkum cheat niyum], echoed Ranariddh's appeal and called "for power to be handed over" to the former king.
In his lengthy speech Hun Sen reacted to the above moves by Ranariddh and Thomico and openly give warnings to his detractors saying that he wound deal with them using every means, including military. Hun Sen also stressed that he "will not hand over power" to Sihanouk as demanded "even if" Sihanouk accepted to take it.
The video report first showed Hun Sen taking part in farming activities with local peasants, including driving a mechanical plow and transplanting rice, and also briefly chatting to villagers before giving his informal speech lasting for some two hours warning Ranariddh and other members of the Cambodian royal family without identifying some of them by names.
Sitting on a mat under a makeshift shelter with several government officials behind him as he began his speech Hun Sen reminded the audience that the last time he came to Kampong Tralach district was in 2004 to give some water pumps. Hun Sen said he had just returned from the 10-11 September Asia-Europe meeting in Helsinki on 16 September where he requested "another $100 million" loan from China in addition to the recently approved $200 million. Hun Sen also mentioned China's aid to renovate the Council of Ministers office.
Turning to the land dispute issue, Hun Sen said that some of the people had sold their land in order to help political parties in the hope of being made district or commune chiefs. He contrasted the policy of his Cambodian People's Party [CPP] of helping farmers to have land instead of people selling their land to help the party. Hun Sen talked about resolving farming problem starting with providing water for agricultural production to increase production on the same plot of land, and the need to move people to new land to produce rice grown without chemical fertilizers as required by European market.
Talking about the achievements under Sihanouk's Sangkum Reas Niyum era, Hun Sen said: "Now, let's talk about it a bit more clearly. I'm not putting down the Sangkum Reas Niyum. At that time, it was great what our Samdech Euv [Sihanouk's popular nickname] could achieve. Now, when they talked about making it as glorious as during the Sangkum Reas Niyum era [...] should we reduce current roads by four meters leaving only seven meters? And the road from Kracheh [province] to the Lao border, should it be narrowed down by five meters to only four meters? There should be no video while about four-fifths of schools have to be pulled downed and only one radio station left."
Continuing on this theme Hun Sen said that Cambodia had been going downhill since the Angkor period with its territory greatly reduced and mentioned the "efforts" of the late kings Ang Duong and Norodom, and also of retired king Sihanouk to preserve the current territory, adding that "each era is different" and each phase has its own standard."
Talking about digging wells for people, Hun Sen turned a bit emotional when he recalled some details of how his mother died of injury at the age of 78. According to Hun Sen, his mother's ribs were fractured and she died by the time she was taken to hospital during the "5-6 July [ 19] 97 event," when an armed clash broke out in Phnom Penh between troops loyal to Ranariddh and those loyal to Hun Sen. That event resulted in First Prime Minister Ranariddh being ousted from power by Second Prime Minister Hun Sen. Hun Sen said that without that event "my mother would not have died."
Hun Sen went on to talk about the longevity of his ancestors mentioning 92 and 93 as the ages of his mother's parents when they died, and 84 of his still living father. Hun Sen then talked about the demands made "over the past few days in Kampong Chhnang province" calling for "the abolishment of the Royal Government" and for "power to be handed over to His Majesty our former king Samdech Euv."
Hun Sen said: "There was also a statement issued in Kampong Chhnang for setting up a front and inviting His Majesty to be its leader." Hun Sen added: "You're preparing a constitutional coup. Please watch out for Hun Sen's reaction in a move initiated by him to defend to Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia. My mother died because of this sort of things, but I'm not holding grudge against this."
Hun Sen then mentioned the 15 September denial by Sihanouk [posted in Sihanouk's website on 16 September] and also Queen Monineat Sihanouk's message conveyed to him through "Nanu", the royal palace chief of protocol; and Palace Minister Kong Sam-ol, stressing that Sihanouk did not agree with those demands. He also cited a telephone call to him from Khiev Kanharit, information minister and also CPP spokesman, on the night of 16 September in which the minister stressed the queen's decision "to sever relations with this nephew [Thomico]" and "to chase" the latter "out from the palace."
Continuing Hun Sen said: "I think they are trying to find pretexts to topple me through the so-called demand to hand over power to Samdech Euv [Sihanouk]. His Majesty did not accept this. But even if he did, I will not give it to him. Let's be clear [brief applause] as this would be betraying the people's will."
Hun Sen criticized Ranariddh who talked only about Article 90 of the Constitution while ignoring Article 78, which Hun Sen read, providing details on how the National Assembly could be dissolved. Hun Sen said: "Prepare your coffin if you want to dissolve the National Assembly."
Hun Sen then recalled a chapter of Cambodian history 500 years ago when a king, Srei Sokunbot, "woke up from a dream" and unsuccessfully tried to kill Sdech Kan, a commoner who eventually became Cambodian king. Hun Sen said: "I and Sdech Kan were born in the same year of the dragon". Many Southeast Asian countries use a 12-animal cycle astrology in which the dragon is considered as one of the most powerful signs.
Hun Sen also threatened to review the budget the government allocated to the retired king, knowing that Sihanouk has been giving $600 a month to Thomico. Hun Sen said: "If His Majesty has not yet done so [stop the monthly salary], I suggest you do it now, otherwise I will review this budget again." Hun Sen also revealed that in Sihanouk's previous report on how the allocated budget allocated was used, "a total of $600,000 was used in two periods, a portion of which could have been used on this guy [Thomico]."
Continuing Hun Sen talked about Article 119 in the Constitution stipulating that the king would appoint a personality "among the elected National Assembly members from the party that won the election to form a government". He said: "His Majesty, our Samdech Euv, has never been a National Assembly member; thus, how could he be prime minister? You have to be a National Assembly member in order to be prime minister." Hun Sen then immediately added: "Because the prime minister was not a National Assembly member that there was a gun battle in the heart of Bangkok in [ 19] 92; because Suchinda was not a National Assembly member." "Thus how do you expect me to agree with this; the king did not agree with it."
Hun Sen also talked about Article 125 on the appointment of a new prime minister, which could only be done when the prime minister died or resigned, and jokingly said amid laughter by the audience: "In the event I died or resigned, all these ministers, government members will automatically go. So, don't pray for my death or you'll also disappear."
For the next nearly 30 minutes or so Hun Sen turned to criticizing Ranariddh in person recalling and exposing the latter's activities, and questioning Ranariddh's sincerity as a partner in the government. Hun Sen also revealed his telephone conversation with Ranariddh when the latter stopped in Siemreab first on his return to Cambodia after a long absence to see his father Sihanouk in mid-August. In that phone conversation Hun Sen said he asked three things from Ranariddh: "1. "Do not get people to accuse Nhoek Bunchhai or other officials of selling themselves to Hun Sen."; 2. Do not get people to make threat about removing some FUNCINPEC officials; 3. "Stop people from insulting my wife" and accusing her of causing rift in Ranariddh's family affairs.
Hun Sen also disclosed his decision to suspend and eventually remove from their positions in the government the following four FUNCINPEC officials: State Minister Serey Kosal, Information State Secretary Chea Chanbaribo; Tuot Luch, and Neuv Kasi.
Hun Sen also exposed Ranariddh's past activities cheating the Sam Rangsi Party [SRP] and said that the SRP will not let itself be cheated again this time around.
Questioning Ranariddh's sincerity as partner in the coalition government Hun Sen said that "in this situation I will work with FUNCINPEC general secretary". Hun Sen also disclosed that he thwarted a plan to personally attack senior FUNCINPEC members Rural Development Minister Loe Laysreng, Public Works Minister Sun Chanthol, and Parliament Commission President Li Thuch, and that the party leader [Ranariddh] was not aware of this. Hun Sen said: "I have [changes thought] even if you farted, I knew. There's no way you can hide things from me."
Hun Sen also talked about how sycophants are using former king Sihanouk saying that in the event Sihanouk decided to lead a front or a political party the former monarch would lose his current status of "father of the nation, heroic prince, father of national union", and other things that come with the title, such as a budget form the government and the right to stay in the royal palace, immunity, and so on.
Elaborating on this point Hun Sen said: "The royal palace is only for the king, or the former king, or royal family members who are not engaged in politics, and not for leader of a political party. All expenses for the former king would be immediately cut." Hun Sen further said that if Sihanouk agreed to lead a political party the former king would be considered as equal and no longer be above anyone else and that "the CPP will be the first one" to call for the abrogation of the law granting privileges to the former king and his portrait, now on display in government offices, would also be removed.
Talking about the financial assistance given to Prince Thomico's party, Hun Sen said: "One of these guys [sycophants] told others that [Sihanouk's childhood friend] Ruom Rit contributes 30 percent of the budget to set up the [new] party." Hun Sen immediately added this: "Don't think other people don't know about all this. Only when you can get rid of all those near you first can you eliminate Hun Sen's men around you."
After recalling some more past events about Ranariddh Hun Sen said: "There's another thing. I'd like to reveal, expose all today to end this matter. And this affects the current king and also the authority of the Throne Council. He [Ranariddh] repeatedly had said that he had sacrificed the throne. I informed the king [Sihamoni] I returned from [changes thought] our king is now in France; tomorrow he will visit the Czech and Slovak republics. When the king is in France, I stopped over in France and visited him; we talked for about an hour and a half. I reported to him and talked about this and that. The king said to me: 'Please, Samdech, help preserve the throne.' I then talked about what happened from the beginning."
Hun Sen elaborated on the efforts by him and the CPP to give the throne to Sihamoni, citing those in the Throne Council who voted to make Sihamoni king: Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, Nguon Nhel, Tep Vong, Buo Kri, and himself. Hun Sen also praised Sihanouk for "withdrawing" and gave the Throne Council ample time to select the new king, pointing out details of the Cambodian Constitution. Hun Sen also blamed Ranariddh for resigning from being National Assembly president himself with the hope that Hun Sen would ask him to stay on. Hun Sen warned Ranariddh against playing this game again as it will not work.
After announcing his usual donations to the local population, Hun Sen spent some more 15 minutes to conclude his speech. He said: "I am preparing a political scenario for the government to go on, meaning that there is no change in this government as demanded, unless I died, but I will not die easily. They fired at me but missed."
Hun Sen added:
"Please don't persist. If you did, you are in the wrong, against the Constitution. And when you're against the Constitution, you should know the government's reaction in the defense of the Constitution."
Hun Sen also gave this warning: "If you want to use other ways, I will use every means. I will respond appropriately to what you do. If you opted for military, I'll respond militarily. If you opted for political, I'll respond politically. If you opted for legal, I'll respond legally." "If you used psychological and propaganda warfare, I'll use television, like today."
6 comments:
Mr Sam Rainsy,
Have you recently heard the death threats against prince Thomico? Where are you? Why do you remain silent on it?
Maybe, for you, it's just a problem between YUON XEN and the Royal Family? and this doesn't concern you and your party at all, such as Heng Pov affair which your adviced your members not getting involved.
Maybe your main object is to preserve the coalition plan with CCP after the election 2008.
Since our Independance from France, no Khmer TYRANTS (SIHANOUSS, LON NOL, YUON XEN) could'nt stay for ever, because they are all damned.
YUON XEN will not make an exception to this rule. It will soon be time for him, his familyand his collaborators to pay for their crime and high treason.
Mr Sam Rainsy,
Have you recently heard the death threats against prince Thomico? Where are you? Why do you remain silent on it?
Maybe, for you, it's just a problem between YUON XEN and the Royal Family? and this doesn't concern you and your party at all, such as Heng Pov affair which your adviced your members not getting involved.
Maybe your main object is to preserve the coalition plan with CCP after the election 2008.
By dint of hungering for murder of his opponents, YUON SEN will digg his own grave.
YUON FORECASTER
This is bcoz of Former King (Sihanouk) always support Hun Sen. That's way, today, former king should deserve what Hun Sen did to him. It is Sihanouk's fault!
Hun Sen is rediculous. Thanks for the blog. I'll read it everyday. The Government is so corrupt. I talk to other Khmer people and they are always blaming the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese played an important role in Hun Sen's political ambitions. They put him in power and he's forever indebted to them, but what drives this man, I think, is money and power. He doesn't really do anything for the people, only for his friends and family. As far as he is concerned, Cambodia could be enveloped by Thailand and Vietnam as long as he remained rich and powerful. I'm so outraged whenever I read about him in the News.
Also calling for The old King to come back into power is meaningless. Norodom Sihanouk is as much corrupt as Hun Sen. We all know his history of freeing Cambodia from French Colonial rule, but has he done after that? He's had so many women, so many illegitimate children, so many backroom deals with Vietnam and the Khmer Rouge. What has he done that has helped the country? He is as much to blame for the Genocide as Pol Pot is.
I'd much rather have French Colonial rule or a Lon Nol regime backed by Washington, than a damned old corrupt monarchy or a dictator like Hun Sen.
What I think will slowly happen is more schools will be built to educate poor Cambodians in the countryside and, the educated workforce will bloom and the economy will grow. At least the poverty level has a chance of decreasing even if the corruption still exists. It's so sad to think about what could have been when the UN had their troops in Cambodia and Hun Sen was almost defeated... Thanks KING for bringing back the dictator...
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