President Joe Biden’s recent remarks about his uncle being eaten by cannibals in Papua New Guinea during World War II have sparked a diplomatic row with the Melanesian nation.
Prime Minister James Marape slammed Biden’s claim that his uncle, Army Air Corps aviator Ambrose J. Finnegan, had been eaten by “cannibals” after his plane crashed on the island chain.
In a statement provided to the Associated Press, Marape expressed his displeasure with Biden’s comments, stating, “President Biden’s remarks may have been a slip of the tongue; however, my country does not deserve to be labeled as such.”
He emphasized that World War II was not the doing of his people, yet they were needlessly dragged into a conflict that was not of their making.
The prime minister’s response shows that Biden’s mental infirmities and his constant need to make up stories are having an impact on international relations, and not in a good way.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says his nation does not deserve to be labeled cannibals, and urged the US to clear up the remnants of World War Two littered across the Pacific, after comments by Joe Biden about his missing serviceman uncle https://t.co/KoF8luN1vD
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 22, 2024
Papua New Guinea, a key strategic ally in a region where China is actively seeking to increase its influence and build alliances, has taken offense to the U.S. president’s words.
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This is not the first time that Biden has disappointed Papua New Guinea.
In 2023, the nation had prepared for a historic visit by the president, declaring a public holiday and readying for celebrations. However, Biden canceled the visit at the last moment to focus on debt limit talks at home, leaving the people of Papua New Guinea deeply disappointed.
Marape used this opportunity to urge the United States to “clean up” the remains of World War II casualties scattered throughout Papua New Guinea.
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The Prime Minister said, “Perhaps, given President Biden’s comments and the strong reaction from PNG and other parts of the world, it is time for the USA to find as many remains of World War II in PNG as possible, including those of servicemen who lost their lives like Ambrose Finnegan.”
