PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, has brushed off Joe Biden’s recent suggestion that his uncle was eaten by cannibals in the country during World War II, calling it “loose” talk that does not reflect the US president’s genuine sentiments towards Papua New Guinea.
In response to Biden’s contentious remarks, Marape stated in an interview that occasional “loose moments” happen, emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries is stronger than one isolated comment.
Biden had mentioned last week that his uncle Ambrose Finnegan was shot down over Papua New Guinea during the war, hinting that his body was never recovered because “there were a lot of cannibals” in the area.
“I’ve met him on four occasions, until today, and on every occasion he’s always had warm regards for Papua New Guinea,” Marape noted, countering Biden’s characterization.
However, US defence records reveal that Finnegan’s aircraft was “forced to ditch in the ocean” off the island’s coast due to unknown reasons. The plane hit the water hard, resulting in the loss of three crew members, with one survivor rescued by a passing barge, according to the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Despite Biden’s comment, the agency confirmed that Finnegan’s death occurred when his aircraft crashed in the Pacific, not due to cannibalism.
Biden’s remark is the latest in a series of gaffes, including earlier anecdotes that confused historical facts, raising questions about the president’s sharpness.
Prime Minister Marape urged Biden and the White House to focus on more pressing issues, such as clearing unexploded ordnance leftover from World War II that poses a significant threat to Papua New Guinea’s residents.
The country has long sought to move past outdated stereotypes depicting it as a wild and savage place, emphasizing the deeper values in its relationship with the United States beyond isolated remarks.
Marape highlighted the ongoing fear of death due to unexploded bombs, urging President Biden to address these critical issues left over from the war.
In 2014, joint efforts by Australia and the United States disposed of 16 tonnes of wartime munitions on Bougainville Island alone, highlighting the ongoing danger posed by unexploded ordnance in remote areas of Papua New Guinea.
