WASHINGTON As talks resume on the setting up of a multi billion dollar compensation fund for the victims of tobacco related illnesses, it has emerged that former Senator George Mitchell is playing a key role in the negotiations, Joe Carroll reports.
The chairman of the Northern Ireland multi party talks has been hired by four leading US cigarette companies to represent their interests in secret talks which resumed in Chicago at the weekend.
The existence of the talks, which began earlier this month, was revealed by the Wall Street Journal last week. At the opening session in a hotel near Washington, Mr Mitchell was described as giving a speech that "would befit Middle East peace talks".
Mr Mitchell's law firm is reported to have sketched out strategies for the tobacco companies which are facing 15 class action lawsuits and claims by 23 states seeking reimbursement for the costs of treating smoking related illnesses. The tobacco companies involved are refusing to comment on the progress of the talks, being monitored by the White House, which are moved each week to a different venue.