    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 22, 1999]
    [Pages 1572-1573]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the United States Lawsuit Against Major Tobacco Companies and
    an Exchange With Reporters
    September 22, 1999

        The President. Good afternoon. Last January, in my State of the
    Union Address, I announced that the Justice Department was preparing a
    litigation plan to recover the costs of smoking-related illnesses. Over
    the years, smoking-related illnesses have cost taxpayers billions of
    dollars through Medicare, veterans' health, and other Federal health
    programs.
        Today the Justice Department declared that the United States is, in
    fact, filing suit against the major tobacco companies to recover the
    cost borne by taxpayers. I believe it's the right thing to do. The
    tobacco companies should answer to the taxpayers for their actions. The
    taxpayers of our country should have their day in court.
        Thank you very much.
        Q. Mr. President, the tobacco companies say this lawsuit is pure
    politics, sir. What do you say?
        The President. Well, if you look at the record of this
    administration, we've been out there on this issue a very long time. No
    one else ever tried to do that. We did our best to work with them and
    with the Congress to resolve many of these matters legislatively, and
    they declined. And I believe this is the appropriate thing to do.

    North Korean Moratorium on Missile Testing

        Q. Do you think the North Koreans, sir, are going to stick to their
    moratorium on missile testing now, after the lifting of sanctions?

    [[Page 1573]]

        The President. I do. And of course, if the future proves otherwise,
    then there are always other options open to us. But former Defense
    Secretary Bill Perry, and others who worked
    with him, worked very hard on this, and then our negotiator in Berlin
    did a very good job. We worked very closely with the Japanese and with
    the South Koreans on this approach. They are agreed with it. And it
    offers the most promising opportunity to lift the cloud of uncertainty
    and insecurity and danger that otherwise would hand over that whole
    region, including the American service men and women who are there.
        So I'm very, very hopeful about it. If it works, it does; if it
    doesn't, then there will be other options open to us.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:45 p.m in the West Portico at the White
    House.