THE SYMPOSIUM WAS HELD IN FRANCE DURING 1975. AS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM, SEVERAL DELEGATES ANALYZED VARIOUS CASES OF HOSTAGE-TAKING IN THEIR COUNTRIES. UNDER THE TOPIC OF POLICE TACTICS, THE DELEGATES AGREED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE DECISIONMAKING AND OPERATIONAL AUTHORITIES TO HAVE AS THOROUGH A KNOWLEDGE AS POSSIBLE OF THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, THE NUMBERS OF HOSTAGE-TAKERS AND HOSTAGES, THE TEMPERAMENT OF THE CRIMINALS, AND OF OTHER BASIC DETAILS BEFORE ANY ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATE DECISIONMAKING COMMAND CENTERS AND OPERATIONS COMMAND CENTERS IN THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES WAS EMPHASIZED. A DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS FOR POLICE ACTION INCLUDED POLICE NEGOTIATIONS WITH HOSTAGE-TAKERS, RESPONSES TO HOSTAGE-TAKERS' DEMANDS, AND THE HONORING OF AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED WITH OFFENDERS; FAILURE FACTORS WERE MENTIONED. IN ADDITION, PERSONAL INSURANCE CONTRACTS AGAINST KIDNAPPING AND POLICE USE OF FIREARMS WERE CONSIDERED. POLICE INTERVENTION UNITS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES WERE DESCRIBED, AND THE CAPTURE OF CRIMINALS AFTER THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES WAS DISCUSSED. AMONG THE TYPES OF AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT DESCRIBED WERE SUSTAINED SURVEILLANCE VEHICLES, MINIATURE RADIO TRANSMITTERS, COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES, AND NONINJURIOUS WEAPONS. THE PREPARATION OF RANSOM MONEY FOR LATER IDENTIFICATION ALSO RECEIVED CONSIDERATION. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND PREVENTION WERE AMONG FURTHER TOPICS, AND PARTICULAR EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON THE CREATION OF MAXIMUM SECURITY ZONES AT ALL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS. A REFERENCE LIST IS NOT INCLUDED.