An inside accomplice at the post office was spared "on the promise not to work again for persons who were outside the cosche" possibly on the assumption that he might prove useful next time (VS: I, 125). The duplicitous attitude toward crime is further exemplified in Leonardo Vitale's testimony, which predates the period when abduction was outlawed: "I remember that Calò [in 1972] proposed that we should kidnap [Vito] Ciancimino's son in Baida... As the suggestion came from Calò, it was to be expected that, given their relationship, Ciancimino would then turn to Riina and [Calò] would be in a position to mediate, in reality backing our interests" (OSPA: V, 735).

XREF: Connects to other readings on organized crime strategy and corruption networks in Italy.

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 989