Italian legislature takes firm steps to curb Mafia

A bill that for the first time in Italian history makes it a crime to associate with the Mafia is due to become law by next weekend, legislative sources said.

The murder in Sicily last Friday of Italy's top anti-terrorist policeman, Gen. Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa, has accelerated the passage through Parliament of the bill, which will give investigators unprecedented powers to explore Mafia sources of wealth and influence. The Cabinet appointed the head of Italy's secret services, Emanuele De Francesco, as a special high commissioner to combat organized crime.