IN THE NETHERLANDS, THE FOLLOWING OFFICES ASSUME LEADERSHIP IN THE EVENT OF A HOSTAGE-TAKING INCIDENT: THE BURGOMASTER OF THE MUNICIPALITY WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURS; THE CHIEF OF LOCAL POLICE; THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR IN WHOSE DISTRICT THE SITE OF THE INCIDENT IS LOCATED; THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, WHO IS DIRECTOR OF POLICE IN THE JURISDICTION INVOLVED; AND THE QUEEN'S COMMISSIONER IN THE PROVINCE INVOLVED. THERE IS A PERMANENT SQUAD OF 17 POLICE OFFICERS TO DETECT AND PREVENT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TERRORIST ACTS AGAINST PERSONS OR STRUCTURES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. IN THE EVENT OF A HOSTAGE-TAKING INCIDENT, REGULAR POLITICAL, POLICE, AND MILITARY PERSONNEL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY, WITH THE AID OF CONSULTANT BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS TO ASSIST WITH SUCH INCIDENTS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT, THREE GROUPS WOULD ASSEMBLE TO HANDLE THE CASE -- A POLICE UNIT LOCATED AT THE SITE OF THE INCIDENT; A POLICY CENTER ESTABLISHED AT SOME DISTANCE FROM THE SITE AND HEADED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WITH THE QUEEN'S COMMISSIONER AS ONE OF THE MEMBERS, THE LOCAL CHIEF OF POLICE, AND BURGOMASTER, ALONG WITH TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES; AND A CRISIS CENTER AT THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IN THE HAGUE, HEADED BY THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE. THE GENERAL TACTICAL APPROACH IS TO ENGAGE THE OFFENDERS IN CONVERSATION WITHOUT COMPLYING WITH THEIR DEMANDS. FORCE IS USED UNDER TWO CONDITIONS -- WHEN THE TERRORISTS PROCEED TO PUT HOSTAGES TO DEATH ONE AFTER THE OTHER, OR WHEN THE INCIDENT HAS BECOME SUFFICIENTLY LENGTHY THAT HOSTAGES ARE SUFFERING INJURY. TECHNICAL MEANS, COMMUNICATIONS, LOGISTICS, RECORDKEEPING, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS, AND PUBLICITY ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. TWO CASE HISTORIES ARE REPORTED TO ILLUSTRATE THE USE OF THE ASPECTS CONSIDERED. (RCB)