FBIS3-19420
"drweu052_j_94005"
FBIS-WEU-94-052
Document Type:Daily Report
16 Mar 1994
ITALY & VATICAN CITY
Justice Official on Anti-Mafia Cooperation With France
BR1603150794 Paris LE FIGARO in French 16 Mar 94 p 9
BR1603150794
Paris LE FIGARO
Language: French
Article Type:BFN
[Interview with Liliana Ferraro, Italian director of
criminal affairs, by Richard Heuze in Rome; date not given:
"Liliana Ferraro Draws Conclusions From Aix Summit -- `A World
Conference on the Mafia'"]
[Text] [Heuze] Following the French-Italian meeting in
Aix-en-Provence, are you pleased with the ground covered by
international collaboration against the Mafia?
[Ferraro] It is not always easy to measure the amount of
ground covered. The countries involved in the discussions have
very different crime situations. It is therefore normal that
they take widely varying approaches to the phenomenon. Having
said that, we have taken a great step forward, both on the
bilateral level, at Aix, and on the level of the European
Community in the working group on organized crime set up in
association with the interior and justice ministers.
[Heuze] What is your opinion of Franco-Italian cooperation
in
this area?
[Ferraro] For a year and a half we have been working in
close
harmony. Michel Debach, a French judge, is permanently attached
to the Criminal Affairs Department of our Justice Ministry.
That has simplified relations between our two administrations
and has made dossier processing more efficient and more
flexible. The Aix meeting was also very productive.
[Heuze] In what respect?
[Ferraro] It is encouraging to note that major progress has
been made in Europe in how this phenomenon, which unfortunately
is not solely an Italian problem, is viewed. We have to
understand that, when one country strengthens its fight against
organized crime, as Italy has done for some time now, the
Mafiosi can very easily set up in another country and continue
their activities. That is a phenomenon requiring action from all
the countries of Europe.
[Heuze] Not all criminals are Mafiosi, though...
[Ferraro] When we speak of the Mafia, we are referring to a
group of criminals who organize themselves for criminal activity
of whatever type. When you consider the aggressiveness of these
organizations, in Italy and elsewhere, and the extent of their
resources, you realize how much of a risk we would run by not
immediately taking measures to try and curb their penetration.
At Aix, for example, my colleagues explained that, due to the
fact that we in Italy did not realize in time this scourge's
extraordinary capacity for expansion, the Mafia was able to
leave its traditional habitat (Sicily, Calabria, and the Naples
region) and spread outward.
[Heuze] Do you believe that France is aware of this?
[Ferraro] I think that the measures that [French Justice
Minister] Pierre Mehaignerie wants to implement are very
important, such as judges specializing in organized crime and
the creation of a centralized structure.
[Heuze] Italy has a whole legal arsenal designed to fight
the
Mafia. What are its main features?
[Ferraro] Firstly, there is the law of 1982 which
establishes
the notion of a "Mafia-type criminal association." Then there
are the laws governing repentants, drugs -- enabling undercover
operations -- and telephone bugging. Also, an anti-Mafia
investigation department was set up which made it possible to
assemble a body of specialist police officers in a centralized
structure. Then there are all the legal adjustments that were
adopted subsequently in the light of the constantly shifting
crime situation. That was how we were able to sequester
considerable Mafia assets. When you take a clan chief's money
away from him, you remove almost all his power. We also spoke
in Aix of the need to establish stricter penalties against
people who have been prosecuted and found guilty of Mafia
activity.
[Heuze] Do you want other European countries to bring their
legislation in line with your laws?
[Ferraro] That is the main thing. It would also be good if
the laws governing informers and the confiscation of property
were adopted by other countries.
[Heuze] Is the Mafia present in France?
[Ferraro] Of course. Mafiosi -- mostly from the Camorra
group -- have taken refuge is a number of regions. We have
witnessed this through joint police operations such as the Green
Tide operation. At Aix, Prefect Mancuso, the Naples prosecutor,
reiterated that there had been links going back to 1984 between
the Marseilles underworld and the Camorra. Moreover, since
Michele Zeza was not just a Camorrist but also had ties with the
Mafia, his presence on the Cote d`Azur was not just a
coincidence -- as Judge Falcone said: "There are no coincidences
in the Mafia" -- obviously he was there "on business." Each
time there is an easy opportunity to make major property or
capital investments, the dirty money rushes in. Knowledge of
this phenomenon should force us to take steps in due course.
[Heuze] Do you think the Mafia was involved in the murder of
Yann Piat?
[Ferraro] There are no clues to indicate that. Anyway, we
did not touch on that specific subject at Aix.
[Heuze] Italy has proposed a UN conference on organized
crime. What will be the aims of this conference?
[Ferraro] This conference will be held in Naples from 24 to
26 October. It will not aim to examine the phenomenon of crime
on a world scale, but should enable the world's governments to
compare their legislations. Organized crime is the number-one
enemy of democracy. It tries to take control on the ground and
corrupt local authority and the financial markets. It aims at
preventing democracies from autonomously governing public life.
We propose making the world fight against the Mafia more
incisive and examining together how we can prevent dirty money
laundering. It will then be up to each government to implement
the measures it deems necessary. The main thing is to face these
problems on a world level.