THESE GUIDELINES WERE COMPILED FROM INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING DISCUSSIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORIST NEGOTIATORS IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NATIONAL VARIATIONS IN THE APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES, THEY ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OPINIONS OF THE MAJORITY OF EXPERTS IN THE FIELD. THE FIRST RULE IS TO BUY TIME. THE FIRST MINUTES ARE CRITICAL, AS THE EMOTIONAL STATE OF EVERYONE, PARTICULARLY THE HOSTAGE-TAKERS AND THE HOSTAGES, IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY'S INITIAL OBJECTIVE IS TO SECURE AND CONTAIN THE LOCATION BUT TO DO NOTHING THAT MIGHT INDICATE AN ASSAULT ON OR A THREAT TO THE HOSTAGE-TAKER. THE HOSTAGES ARE INITIALLY VIEWED BY THEIR CAPTORS AS A COMMODITY. HOWEVER, AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE HOSTAGE'S DEPENDENCE ON THE CAPTOR FREQUENTLY LEADS TO IDENTIFICATION WITH HIM. HOSTAGES OFTEN REFUSE TO TESTIFY AGAINST THEIR CAPTOR; SEVERAL INSTANCES HAVE EVEN OCCURRED IN WHICH AIRLINE STEWARDESSES INVOLVED IN HIJACKINGS HAVE CONTINUED TO PAY WEEKLY VISITS TO THEIR ABDUCTORS IN PRISON. ORGANIZED TERRORIST GROUPS ARE AWARE OF THIS PHENOMENON, AND SOME OF THEM HAVE DELIBERATELY KEPT HOSTAGES ISOLATED FROM THEIR ABDUCTORS SO THAT THIS TRANSFERENCE WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THEIR MISSION. THE NEGOTIATOR MUST BE CHOSEN CAREFULLY, AS HE IS THE PRIMARY LINK WITH THE ABDUCTORS. THE NEGOTIATOR SHOULD BE A TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS NOT A HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL AND WHO HAS ACCESS TO CONSULTATION AND ADVICE FROM A BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST WHO UNDERSTANDS LAW ENFORCEMENT PARAMETERS. REQUESTS SHOULD BE GRANTED SELECTIVELY. REQUESTS FOR FOOD AND NECESSITIES ARE NEARLY ALWAYS GRANTED, THOSE FOR FIREARMS AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NEVER. FOR MAJOR REQUESTS, THE BASIC PRINCIPLE IS NEVER TO GIVE SOMETHING TO THE ABDUCTOR UNLESS SOMETHING IS RECEIVED IN RETURN. IN SOME SITUATIONS HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN RELEASED IN RETURN FOR SUCH ITEMS AS A CHEESEBURGER OR A PACK OF CIGARETTES. IF A HOSTAGE IS KILLED, OFFENSIVE TACTICS SHOULD BE USED AT ONCE. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON AND SHOULD TRAIN NEGOTIATORS TO HANDLE THEM. DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES SHOULD ALSO BE DEVELOPED. (GLR)