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.