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Florida Judge Directs Dismissal of Ecuador Suit 

``This decision should be a clear signal to the attorneys pursuing these lawsuits that state courts will be as hostile to these claims as the federal courts,'' said William S. Ohlemeyer, Philip Morris vice president and associate general counsel. ``Federal courts in this country have uniformly rejected such lawsuits. Because similar rules apply regardless of where these cases are filed or who files them, these cases should be dismissed whether they are filed in state or federal court.'' . .

``These claims have been rejected decisively and uniformly by every appellate court to consider them. Simply alleging injuries to its citizenry does not entitle a foreign government to target an American industry and try to exploit the U.S. court system,'' said Ohlemeyer.

``The result in the Ecuador case, together with the decisions in the Guatemala and other cases, should help close the door on tobacco cases filed by foreign governments in the United States,'' Ohlemeyer added.

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