Australia - USA

WARNING: This site deals only with the corporate corruption of science, and makes no inference about the motives or activities of individuals involved.
    There are many reasons why individuals become embroiled in corporate corruption activities - from political zealotry to over-enthusiastic activism; from gullibility to greed.
    Please read the OVERVIEW carefully, and make up your own mind.

OPINION ONLY

Whist joined Philip Morris (Australia) Ltd. in April, 1968 (aged 34) after a short career as marketing manager for "Hush Puppies" (casual shoes) in Melbourne. He claims to have been a certified chartered accountant, but that now appears doubtful. There's no doubt, however, that he was a master at networking, and using/manipulating social and business-promotion organisations to his own advantage

One Philip Morris puff-piece says that Whist was

"Active in industry and civic affairs, Mr. Whist is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American European Community Association and Executive Director of the New York Society for International Affairs.

[These were both fake bilateral business organisations, totally controlled by Whist and Philip Morris]

Mr. Whist represents Philip Morris on the boards and committees of the International Association of Political Consultants, the Foreign Policy Association, the Overseas Development Council, UN We Believe, the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Foreign Trade Council, and is a member of the International Public Relations Association.

Mr. Whist has also been active in several community undertakings, serving as Director of a Wildlife Fund and an Arts Grant. He is also a past Chairman of the Victorian Arts Appreciation Society of Australia."

It could have added that he took over control of the growing professional tennis business in Australia, and was behind the recruitment of dozens of academics, scientists and medical professionals to support the tobacco industry against attempts to limit its political power, its right to adveritise, and its tendency to make smoking attractive to minors.

In fact Whist quickly became the chief tobacco industry lobbyist in Australia, and he earned his reputation in the tobacco world by running a large number of successful campaigns which defeated or disarmed the anti-smoking activists.

He was so successful that he was transfered to the New York office as Head of Corporate Affairs at a time when Philip Morris were taking control of the fight-back programs of the industry internationally. He soon took over the international lobbying and scientific subterfuge efforts for the company, and eventually became a powerful force within the industry as a whole.

This Australian triumvirate eventually controlled or influenced many dozens of business-lobby groups, think-tanks and policy institutes which were used by Philip Morris to pay-off compliant politicians and provide money-laundry services for tobacco-friendly scientists. The American domestic arm of the company, was equally aggressive, and under Geoff Bible (President and CEO) these two arms were combined, giving Philip Morris almost total domiance over the industry.

Whist was originally a Norwegian who had drifted around the world and ended up in Melbourne Australia, so he had a special affinity with his two top executive mentors, Bill Murray and Geoff Bible.

Some key documents

• Whist's Signature

• A friend of Andrew Whist. is William (Bill) Irvine, ex Hedderwick partner, who was Chairman of Philip Morris Australia, Irvine later became the Chairman of National Bank and a member of Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
    • Another was Ken Baxter, who became Director of Corporate Affairs (replaced by Phil Francis). He was a writer for AFR and Bulletin, and later Jeff Kennett's Head of Cabinet. There was a need to keep him onside.

• Role: S&H Dissembler Level 2 (head of Philip Morris's international tactical team) He was a Norwegian by birth and Australian by adoption.

1934: Born in Oslo, Norway

    Andrew Whist is a graduate of Ullern College. Ullern is an affluent borough on the west side of the city of Oslo, Norway.

    [Claim] "Prior to joining Philip Morris, he held executive positions in Africa; the Far East, Canada, and Australia."

1960–66: Prior to joining Philip Morris, Mr Whist held executive positions in Europe, Africa, the Far East, and Canada. , Whist was graduated from Ullern College, and pursued additional studies at the Oslo College of Commerce, and Leicester College of Art and Technology in England [Dubious claims]

1962: Alf Larsen Whist dies in Norway.

1964 Jan: First US Surgeon General's report triggers counter-action in the tobacco industry

1965: Brand Manager for Hush Puppies shoes in Melbourne, Australia

1965 July 26: Hamish Maxwell is visiting Australia. They are planning a new factory, He would be returning to New York early August.

1966 Jan 18: Robert White to George Weissman re PMI meeting with Phil Philips and ...

"AJ Macmillan, Director of Godfrey-Philips, their principal marketing executive, and an acquaintance of Hamish Maxwell.

    At the opening of discussions, Mr. Heymans referred to the consideration now being given to a joint leaf threshing operation and discussions relating to this operation and possible other associations discussed by Mr. Maxwell earlier.

    He pointed out the interest Philip Morris had in expanding its International Operations through both new operations and acquisition of existing operations, and stated we wished to fully explore any association that could lead to the immediate or eventual "merger" of the Philip Morris — Godfrey-Phillips operations in the Asian area (Australia specifically), or of the entire Godfrey-Phillips worldwide operations.

    Mr Heymans also informed Mr Phillips of our plans to construct additional
    plant facilities in Australia . Mr. Phillips was not previously aware of
    these plans and seemed most interested in them.

    In reply, Mr. Phil Phillips stated that he had received a report from Mr. Paynter, his Managing Director in Australia, on the conversations with Mr. Maxwell, and as a result of this report had considered the possibilities of some degree of association.

    Mr. Phillips suggested that the existing license agreement held by his company, for the production of Kent cigarettes in Australia, would be a major obstacle to-any merger/combination of the two Australian operations. The terms of this agreement, which he had reviewed in preparation for today's meeting, permits cancellation in the event of a change in ownership or control.

1966 Jan 21: Both Justus Heymans and Hamish Maxwell are due to be in Sydney and Melbourne independently. Heymans wants to meet and discuss plans and policy.

1966 Feb 11: Hamish Maxwell and Justus Heymans are due in Australia about the take-over talks with Godfrey Philips (both Phil Philips and Cedrick Paynter)
    Maxwell is "Regional Vice President - Pacific and Far East" and as an officer within PMI he is "Vice President, Director of Marketing".

1966 June 22: According to his later Oklahoma deposition, Whist joined the Australian Philip Morris company on the 22nd June 1966 as Marlboro Brand Manager. Held the position for 14 to 18 months. (Date from Deposition) Other documents say he joined Philip Morris (Australia) Ltd in April 1968.

1966 June 22: Whist joined Philip Morris Ltd (Australia) as brand manager for Marlboro. Held the position for 14 to 18 months and then became group brands manager.

1966 Nov: Hugh Cullman took over at the head of PM International (He had briefly run the Operational side).

1967 Sep 26: In the Annual Report of Philip Morris (1966) Maxwell is listed as a USA director along with George Weissman. Solicitors are Hedderwick Fookes and Alston, Chairman is Arthur H Etherington. Managing Director is James R Fawke

1967 Dec: /E According to his disposition he became Group Brand Manager for Philip Morris Australia. Held position for 2 to 3 years.

1968 Feb 18: -27 Philip Morris's ten day International Marketing Seminar at the Biltmore Hotel in New York City [Followed by 3 days in Richmond Virginia] lists Hamish Maxwell and Andrew Whist. [This document discounts the claim that he joined PM Australia in April 1968. This appears to be the time he took over responsibility for Smoking & Health and PR.]

    Agenda:

1968 Feb 28: Philip Morris's Call News article on the PMI Marketing Seminar. PMI bought FTR people, Whist, etc to New York. At this time Whist was "Brand Manager PM (Australia)"
    Also with him was G Brasch - Sales Manager PM (Australia)

1968 April: Maxwell wrote to Fawke, the MD in Australia following a visit. He was instructing that Whist would be appointed Manager, Public Relations. Later that year Whist assumed the additional position of Group Brands Manager.

SMOKING AND HEALTH

    It was decided to make some changes in the public relations function, particularly designed to give you some back-up assistance in matters concerning Smoking and Health.

    The new public relations manager will be Andrew Whist and, it will be part of his job to become as fully acquainted as possible with all relevant matters on Smoking and Health and to assist you in representing Philip Morris on such matters at future industry meetings. Andrew will send us copies of all recent, relevant correspondence on Smoking and Health and we will, in turn, arrange to supply him useful information from here and to keep him in touch with developements.

    It will become his responsibility to see that we in New York are advised of all developments and future considerations in the Smoking and Health field and to see that we are consulted on such matters before any action is agreed to by Philip Morris Ltd.

    It is further expected that Andrew will assist you in representing the Company on other industry matters including any developments on the advertising agreement which was recently reached. It will likewise be his responsibility to keep me informed on such matters, before any action is contemplated or taken in Australia.

1968 Jul: 8: Maxwell writes to James Fawke, the MD of Philip Morris Australia, issuing directions about the deployment of staff.

SMOKING AND HEALTH
Andrew Whist has already shown some grasp of the problems associated with smoking and health and it is expected that he will accompany you in the future to industry meetings on this subjcct. His future planning will include the development of Philip Morris' own resources on the political side of this question so that we are not, in the future, dependent on the efforts of others in the industry, particularly Wills. [WD & HO Wills had previously taken the lead position among the companies]

    We discussed the desirability of Andrew coming to New York later this year both to brief the appropriate people here on the situation in Australia and to be made more completely aware of Philip Morris' own experience and policies on smoking and health in this country and elsewhere in the world. I believe that this visit could best be made about the end of September or the beginning of October when Mr. Holtzman [Alex Holtzman, their in-house lawyer and scientific disinformation operator] could spend some time on it.

    At the time 1 left Australia it appeared that any new action on labeling had been postponed by the health ministers for at least the rest of this year. Andrew Whist will, of course, inform us of any changes in the situation.

1968 July: /E (12 - 18 months after joining) Became Group Brand Manager. Held position for two to three years. (From Deposition)

1968 July 8: Maxwell to James R Fawke, MD Philip Morris Australia reviewing decisions made during his visit:

  • Smoking & Health
Andrew Whist has already shown some grasp of the problems associated with smoking and health and it is expected that he will accompany you in the future to industry meetings on this subjcct. His future planning will include the development of Philip Morris' own resources on the political side of this question so that we are not, in the future, dependent on the efforts of others, in the industry, particularly Wills.

    We discussed the desirability of Andrew coming to New York later this year both to brief the appropriate people here on the situation in Australia and to be made more completely aware of Philip Morris' own experience and, policies on smoking and health in this country and elsewhere in the world. I believe that this visit could best be made about the end of September or the beginning of October when Mr. Holtzman could spend some time on it.

    At the time I left Australia it appeared that any new action on labelling had been postponed by the health ministers for at least the rest of this year. Andrew Whist will, of course, inform us of any changes in the situation.

1968 Sep: They were in control of Godfrey Phillips International through sales to the Australian GP, which was under the control of Philip Morris Australia.

1968 Nov 28: (Could be a year later) Whist at PM Australia has written asking about FTC Testing methods (Cambridge Filter Method) Helen Frastace, secretary to Alex Holtzman, has sent him a Telex and this 5 page reply.
    Longer reply

    Telex (Date is not the date sent to Whist)

1969 July: (1968 Annual Report.) The Philip Morris Australia, Ltd board had

• Arthur H Etherington (Chairman)
• Charles J Altson (Vice Chairman)
• James R Fawke (Managing Director)
• Philip U Lovett (Sales Director)
• John G Scott (Leaf Director)
• William HM Irvine (Director)
• Lisle JR Jones (Director)

The most noteworthy event of the year was the acquisition in September of Godfrey Phillips, Limited, a company founded in 1844 and headquartered in London, England. The great bulk of the business of Godfrey Phillips is in tobacco products which are manufactured and marketed in Australia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand and Pakistan. Philip Morris International today has new equity investments in all of these countries, resulting in an increased share of market, notably in Australia.

    Major cigarette brands of Godfrey Phillips include Abdulla, Black and White, Viscount, Cavander's and Muretti Ambassador. The company also markets a filtered cigar-type cigarette, Calypso, as well as a number of smoking tobacco brands, including Four Square and Boar's Head.

1969 Aug 11:: "We are still trying to find ways and means of having sources other than the industry inviting Cederlof and Friberg." [2015047965]

1969 Aug 1:: Reporting to USA from Australia: ["the tobacco industry has formed a committee headed by the chief executives of the manufacturing companies to plan PR for the industry. [] it is planned to invite several well-known overseas medical scientists to Australia to speak against the smoking/health link. 2015047959]

1970: / Pamphlet claims The concept that cigarette smoking is the cause of the increase in lung cancer and emphysema is a colossal blunder.
    Prepared by the Australian cigarette industry.

1970: he was appointed Assistant to the Chairman

1970 Jan 6: Alex Holtzman writes to Andrew Whist "regarding twin study registry and proposed regulation of cigarettes" (UNAVAILABLE)

1970 Jan 13: Whist writes to Lars Friberg, now home in Sweden.

"It was certainly a pleasure having you and Rune [Cederlof] here.

    The Australian Tobacco Resarch Foundation was finally inaugurated yesterday. It is headed by the Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney, Dr GR Rickerton Blackburn. It comprises of a scientific advisory committee as well as the Managing Directors of the four Australian tobacco manufacturing companies.

1970 Apr 2: says "...by exerting pressure on the media chieftains ..with some success" An industry delegation managed to infiltrate the journalist's camp and dissuade them from pushing the issue. [2015047992]

1970 Jun: 5: Andrew Whist to Alex Holtzman in the USA:

• Sends press clippings of John Wyatt's visit.
• Meeting with Dr Sheldon ('Charlie') Sommers, but "we do not want to expose him too heavily so shortly after John's departure."
• Has an ex-parliamentarian Bill Bridges-Maxwell working with him as permanent secretary of the Australian Tobacco Research Foundation.
• Fighting Liberal party moves to have TV ad bans and warning lables.
• Got rid of Hill & Knowlton, and began doing it themselves.
• Had discussions with the Democratic Labor Party of Victoria (a 'spoiler' party led by Catholic conservatives)
• PS "The radiation story came in very handy. A nuclear reactor is about to go up north of Sydney, and we are going to use the story for all it is worth."

1970 June: /E Became Assistant to the James R Fawke, Chairman of PM Australia Ltd.

1970 Oct 13: dealing with Alexander Holtzman in New York. He is now

• coordinating the tobacco industry's joint attempts to make a television documentary, using John Dixon (who Whist knew from making commercials for some years)
• Influencing the Senate Committe on Drug Abuse
• Meeting with Australian Tobacco Research Foundation in Sydney

1971 Jan: to Dec 71 He beceme Assistant to the Chairman, James R Fawke. (PM Australia Ltd. — holding company for Philip Morris Limited) (1970??)

1972: appointed Manager, Corporate Affairs

1972: to 73 Appointed to the Board of Philip Morris Ltd (held until Dec 1980) Says:

A. I was simply a board member. I didn't have any specific duties [His title was Director of Corporate Affairs.]
    Q. What were your responsibilities as director of corporate affairs?
    A. Generally speaking, I was in charge of the arts program. I started something called the Philip Morris Arts Grant.
    Q. What type of activities did the Arts Grant fund?
    A. The acquisition of work by young artists, meaning artists who had not been recognized by the art world as yet. They're generally in their late twenties through the forties. Additionally, I was the director of the Philip Morris Wildlife Fund.
    Q. Anything else?
    A. (Witness indicates.) [Nothing]

1973 /E: Elected to the Board, Had no specific responsibilities. Held the position untile Dec 1980. He also had the title of Director of Corporate Affairs.Philip Morris Limited. He says he was in charge of the

• arts program - started the Philip Morris Arts Grant.
• director of PM Wildlife Fund

1975 Mar 20: To Hamish Maxwell (first name terms) Working for the Liberal Party no matter who is leader, Snedden or Fraser.

You may be aware of our present political mayhem - Snedden's head is on the line (again!) tomorrow , with bookies and other wise men giving Fraser slightly better than even odds. Peacock is in there too, so, is Killen. Our raucous media are having a fieldday with invective flying every which way.

    I don't wish to appear callous, but the outcome of tomorrow's meetingiwill mean very little.to us. We are now accepted as part of the machine, working directly for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, irrespective of who he is.

    All this nonsense has made it possible for Labor too get away with a great deal - the chances of the Libs winning an early election are fast receding and with it, the potency to hold up damaging bills.

Once we are organized, we will use the vehicle of the AANA (The Australian Association of National Advertisers), to publicize, via media handouts and paid advertising, the case for a free enterprise system.

    You may be interested to know that at the recent Labor Party conference at Terrigal, there was real debate for the first time on the issue of Smoking, and Health. It was felt by many that the party had gone far enough, and that to go further would jeopardize whatever relationship they have with the Media Barons.

    In this exercise we were helped considerably by the Chairman of the Australian Media Council, Brian [actually Bryan] Simpson, a Director of The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd., No new resolutions were passed.

1975 May: Whist to Hamish Maxwell reporting on progress:
    • PM Arts Grant affair.
    • working closely with [Malcolm] Fraser and Co, assisting them with setting up new electoral researh and other allied matters.

1975 Oct 22:: Outlines Australian S&H committee [2024258457]

1975 Dec 30: Don Hoel of Shook Hardy & Bacon writes to Andrew Whist in Australia. He has been reviewing the narration for the John Dixon-made film.

It was great to visit with you and Mary in New York earlier this month.

    As promised, I am enclosing herewith a rough draft transcript of the sound track of the current film that you had with you in New York.

1976: Whist was elected to the Board of Directors of Philip Morris Limited in 1976 as Director, Corporate Affairs.

1976 July 30: Note to Alex Holtzman at PM. Tobacco lawyer Don Hoel of Shook Hardy & Bacon is acting for Whist in Australia in organising for Theodor Sterling to travel to Australia to attend a Smoking and Health conference. Sterling wanted his wife to come also.

1977: Establishing the Philip Morris Wildlife Fund in Australia to help preserve endangered species.

The idea developed when Andrew Whist, Director of Corporate Affairs PM (Australia) Ltd., and head of the Philip Morris Wildlife Fund, took a trip to a tobacco growing area in the highlands and met a retired dingo trapper, Bill Campbell, a living legend in that area of Australia. Mr. Campbell had trapped or shot over 2,000 dingoes in his life. However, his relentless pursuit of the wild dog turned into a great love for the animal, and he began to raise pure-bred Alpine dingoes, a difficult task as these animals do not breed readily in captivity.

    Andrew Whist learned of the old man's successful breeding techniques and, following many meetings, convinced him to allow one of his dogs to be mated with a pure-bred dingo held by the Sir Colin Mackenzie Fauna-Park in Healesville.

1977 Apr 21: While still with PM Australia, Whist is given the job of substituting for Wakeham on Operation Berkshire committee with top level execs and lawyers from other companies. [501479742] [ doc 19900612] This became ICOSI and later the INFOTAB organisation.

1977 Sep 20: Outlines scientist brought out to Australia. Selzer understands he is only wanted when a problem arises. (++++)

1977 Sep 20: setting up Smoker Rights Group in Australia (memo to Jim Bowling)
    Says he organised meeting of sports organisations to oppose changes to sponsorship laws

    Says "In my job as senior vice president external affairs I don't get into any kind of political lobbying issues" +++++++++++++++++

1978 May 5: Listed as time he joined PMInt Index to Personnel [2021222726/2802]

1978 Oct 18: Jules M Hartog is asking Whist to join ICOSI project team. He also praises Bryan Simpson (TIA) who has just visited. He comments that "Australians have had extensive 'combat experience' with anti.smokers"

1979 /E: Mr Whist was (before Dec 1980) Director, Corporate Affairs and Assistant to the Chairman, Philip Morris (Australia) Limited, in Melbourne.

1979 May 20: - 24th SAWP/ICOSI strategy/science meeting in Zurich - with Aviado, Seltzer, Haas, Sterling, Furst, Sirridge, Berger, Nystrom, Lee, Adlkofer, + Whist, Panzer, Senkus, Vogel, Hargrove, Ely, Finnegan, Seymour, Kloepfer, Toet, Corner, Kenrick Wells, Bruckner etc.etc. See Agenda

1980: Ltadus, L She is probably the secretary to Andrew Whist in 1980 [2024978290]

1980 July: Andrew Whist and his wife Mary G Whist moved to New York in July-Aug 1980. He was later to run the Philip Morris International's Corporate Affairs dirty-tricks operations.

CONTRIBUTORS:in22 dlo2 LR13