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ALLEGED ABDUCTEE PHILLIP KRAPF HINTS AT SECOND BOOK Questions Arise on Motive Behind "The Contact Has Begun"

Without a doubt, former Los Angeles Times journalist Phillip H. Krapf delivered the most surprising UFO-related book of 1998 with his first-person abduction account titled "The Contact Has Begun" (Haye House). Released last spring, the book caused an immediate sensation, partly because the formerly skeptical and cynical Krapf seems to have experienced literally an overnight religious and philosophical conversion, but also because his abduction tale is wildly askew of most other stories told by abductees.

According to Krapf, his alien abductors -- termed Verdants -- treated him royally, offering him a wide assortment of delicious foods, comfortable quarters and even sexual pleasures during his three days on board their ship. In the end, he says, their purpose was to inform him of a coming revelation to be given to the people of earth, in which he would be asked to play a minor role. Writing his book, he says, was the fulfillment of his assignment.

Largely because Krapf claimed his abductors were wise and loving beings, his book quickly attracted the admiration of many readers. Just as quickly, however, he attracted loud criticism. Some of his detractors accused him of outright lying -- even suggesting that "Verdant" (literally meaning "green") was a clever but shameless play on "Little Green Men." Others suggested his abduction was real but very different than he thought. The book, some said, was pure "alien disinformation." Amidst the controversy, Krapf kept insisting he was telling the absolute truth as he understood it; and he didn't care how his story compared to other tales of abduction.

Six months later, where does Phillip Krapf stand? Attorney Peter Gersten of CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy) decided to find out during a recent visit to southern California. Part of Gersten's intention was to solicit Krapf's cooperation in an FOIA inquiry concerning extraterrestrial contact based upon claims in his book.

On hearing that Gersten had interviewed Krapf on September 19, CNI News requested and received a brief summary of Gersten's findings.

Among Gersten's surprising discoveries was the fact that Krapf is "either writing or planning to write a second book on the reactions of people to" his first book, Gersten says. This raises an important question. As Gersten puts it, "If he planned on writing the second book prior to writing the first -- or both as one project -- then I would think the first book could be viewed as merely a writer's tool to accomplish his main purpose... a sociological study. He thus could eventually come forward and admit that the first book was merely a ploy and justify 'lying'."

Gersten acknowledges, however, that he's not sure this was Krapf's original plan. "If Phillip only thought of the idea for the second book after he noticed how people were reacting, then any such possible motive to fabricate the first book is eliminated.

"I spent about 60 minutes alone with him and at no time did he indicate that he intentionally lied about anything," Gersten says. However, "he did state that he no longer is sure his 'contact' was real. He indicated it might have been a dream, a hallucination, a form of mind control or altered state experience."

In the book, Krapf claimed that a senior executive at the Los Angeles Times had also been contacted by the Verdants. He does not name this person, but says he and "X" compared notes during a private lunch. Similarly, Krapf claimed to have seen a very prominent person on board the Verdant ship. This person, he says, had been recruited as an "Ambassador." Gersten suggested to Krapf that contacting these people might corroborate the reality of Krapf's experience.

"When I suggested Krapf call 'X' at the LA Times and verify their luncheon meeting and the topic discussed, he refused," Gersten says. "He also refused to contact the 'ambassador' he met on the craft. He also refused to name 'X' or any of the ambassadors, even after I agreed that I would invoke the attorney/client privilege."

Pressing Krapf to justify such reluctance, Gersten says Krapf "told me that something occurred after his experience that convinced him not to say anything more than what can be found in his book. He refused to tell me anything more about what happened or the reason for his silence."

Krapf apparently "believes the Verdants are benevolent and refuses to entertain evidence to the contrary," Gersten says. "Though he claims his loyalty is to the human race, his secrecy would indicate otherwise."

Regarding the question of an FOIA inquiry, Gersten again hit a brick wall. Krapf refused to consider submitting to a deposition, saying again that "he would not reveal any information not contained in his book. He further indicated he would invoke a reporter's privilege under the shield law," Gersten says. "He told me that he would go to jail for contempt before he would reveal the names of any of the ambassadors. He thought the publicity would be good for his book."

The mystery of Phillip Krapf remains unresolved. However, it seems he will have more to say in a second book. No publication date has been announced.