Bolivia Takes Tobaco Cos. To Court (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

                        January 22, 1999

Dow Jones Newswires

Bolivian Tobacco Lawsuit Filed In Texas
Court - Newspaper

Dow Jones Newswires

ANGLETON, Texas (AP)--The Bolivian government has filed a lawsuit in a
Texas state district court accusing 17 tobacco makers of concealing the
dangers of smoking, resulting in exorbitant health care costs for the country,
The Facts newspaper reported Friday.

While other foreign governments have sued U.S. tobacco companies, Bolivia's
lawsuit is the first to be filed in the state court of a rural county, Richard
Daynard, head of the Tobacco Products Liability Project at Northeastern
University, told the newspaper.

Other lawsuits by the governments of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, the
Marshall Islands and British Columbia were filed Washington, New Orleans,
Puerto Rico or in foreign courts.

"I think Texas state courts have been more hospitable to unusual kinds of
litigation than many other courts," Daynard said.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, contends smoking-related illnesses cost the
Bolivian government more than $1 billion in the last 35 years. The defendants
include Philip Morris (MO), Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp., R.J.
Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Lorillard Tobacco Co. (X.LOR).

Don Riddle, a Houston attorney representing the Republic of Bolivia, said the
lawsuit was filed in Brazoria County because it is known for moving its docket
faster than Houston.

"I guess it's just a matter of trying to get the case up for trial as quickly as
possible to try to get the matter resolved," Riddle said.

But Greg Little, an associate general counsel for Philip Morris, said there was
not a statute in Texas that allows Bolivia to bring such a lawsuit because the
allegations are too vague.

"It's very broad and general - it doesn't allege any specific statements or
conduct that had an impact on Bolivia," he said. "We believe the suit is wrong
on the facts, it's wrong on the law, and we will defend it very vigorously."


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