SINCE THE LINDBERG CASE IN 1932 MANY SIMILAR KIDNAPPINGS OF BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS HAVE OCCURRED INTERNATIONALLY, ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER HAS BEEN DROPPING IN FRANCE SINCE 1976. MEASURES TO SECURE HOMES AND WEEKEND HOUSES OF PUBLIC LEADERS INCLUDE REFUSAL OF FAMILY MEMBERS TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF FAMILY SCHEDULES, HOUSING, OR HABITS OVER THE PHONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES; VERIFICATION OF TELEPHONE MAINTENANCE WORK ALLEGEDLY REQUIRED; CAREFUL UPKEEP OF ALARM SYSTEMS; INSTALLATION OF MECHANICAL OR MAGNETIC DOOR OPENERS, SHOCK DETECTORS, AND ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT; AND EMPLOYMENT OF PRIVATE GUARDS. TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS ENCOMPASS TRAINING OF THE POTENTIAL VICTIM IN PRINCIPLES OF SELF-DEFENSE AND IN THE MARTIAL ARTS, AVOIDANCE OF DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, USE OF BODYGUARDS AND ATTACK DOGS, TRAINING OF THE CHAUFFEUR IN DEALING WITH KIDNAPPING SITUATIONS BY USING SPECIAL DRIVING MANEUVERS, AND USE OF SPECIALLY EQUIPPED CARS WITH WINDOW BLINDS, BULLET-PROOF TIRES, SIRENS, A RADIOPHONE, AND OTHER PROTECTIVE DEVICES. THE WORK PLACE CAN BE PROTECTED BY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO PERSONNEL, SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS, SPECIAL SECURITY AGENTS, VISITOR CHECKS, FURNITURE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ALLOW FOR CLEAR VISIBILITY OF ANY OBJECTS LEFT BEHIND, DOORS WHICH CLOSE WITH KEYS, AND A NONTELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM BETWEEN RESIDENCE AND WORK. PUBLIC FIGURES SHOULD REMAIN DISCRETE IN THEIR PRIVATE LIVES AND NEVER GIVE OUT INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR ADDRESSES, TRIPS, FINANCES, OR FAMILIES. CORPORATE SECURITY FORCES SHOULD MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS ON POTENTIAL VICTIMS WITH HANDWRITING AND VOICE SAMPLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS, FORM A SPECIAL KIDNAPPING TEAM, ESTABLISH RULES FOR PERSONNEL, AND KEEP A LIST OF EMERGENCY POLICE NUMBERS. RAPID APPREHENSION OF KIDNAPPERS IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DETERRENT TO FURTHER CRIMES; CERTAIN COUNTRIES (E.G., ITALY) BLOCK BANK ACCOUNTS OF FAMILIES SO THAT RANSOMS CANNOT BE PAID. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)