THERE ARE THREE MAIN ELEMENTS INVOLVED IN CLASSIFYING ACTS OF TERRORISM -- PLACE, TIME, AND INTENSITY AND TYPE OF THE INCIDENT. IN MODERN TIMES, ACT OF TERRORISM HAVE BECOME WIDESPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND ATTEMPTS ARE BEING MADE TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THESE ACTS. SECURITY MEASURES, ESPECIALLY RELATIVE TO INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION, HAVE PROVEN TO BE QUITE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING TERRORISM. BECAUSE OF THE BOLDNESS OF TERRORIST DEMANDS, POLICE INTERVENTION MUST PROCEED WITH CAUTION. THE FOUR BASIC CONSIDERATIONS OF THE POLICE ARE: (1) THE PRECEDENCE OF PROTECTING HOSTAGES OVER CAPTURING TERRORISTS OR SUBMITTING IN ANY WAY TO THEIR DEMANDS, (2) THE PROCUREMENT OF ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON THE TERRORISTS AND THEIR DEMANDS, (3) SEALING OFF THE AREA AND THE AVOIDANCE OF GUNFIRE, AND (4) THE NEGOTIATION TACTICS CONCERNED WITH THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES. THESE FUNDAMENTAL TACTICS TAKE ON THE NATURE OF A HIGHLY ORGANIZED MILITARY OPERATION. POLICE FORCES IN GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND ARE DEVELOPING SPECIAL ANTITERRORIST DETACHMENTS TRAINED TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE SITUATIONS. SPECIAL MEASURES ARE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF A TERRORIST ATTACK -- RADIO FREQUENCIES ARE SET ASIDE FOR POLICE USE, A SPECIAL POLICE COMPUTER IS AT THEIR DISPOSAL, AND MARKED MONEY IS PROVIDED FOR RANSOM PAYMENTS. THE USE OF HYPNOSIS IS CITED AS A METHOD FOR GAINING MORE INFORMATION FROM WITNESSES IN HOSTAGE CASES. GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE MASS MEDIA ARE IMPORTANT AS WELL, SO THAT INCIDENTS ARE REPORTED ACCURATELY AND FAIRLY. THE USE OF WEAPONS IS ADVISED ONLY AS A LAST RESORT. IN CONCLUSION, THE AUTHOR COMMENDS THE POLICE FOR THEIR EXCELLENT WORK, BUT ALSO NOTES THAT, ALTHOUGH EFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN, THE PROBLEM OF TERRORISM STILL EXISTS, AND PROBABLY CAN NEVER BE ELIMINATED. -- IN GERMAN. (BAC)