The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea expressed disappointment over comments made by President Biden suggesting his uncle was eaten by cannibals during World War II in the Oceanic nation.
Biden had recounted his uncle’s plane being shot down in Papua New Guinea during a speech, saying his body was never recovered due to cannibals.
“And he got shot down in New Guinea, and they never found the body because there used to be – there were a lot of cannibals, for real, in that part of New Guinea,” Biden said.
The PM said Papua New Guinea did not deserve such labeling, as it was unwillingly dragged into the global conflict.
“President Biden’s remarks may have been a slip of the tongue; however, my country does not deserve to be labeled as such,” Marape stated. “World War II was not the doing of my people; however, they were needlessly dragged into a conflict that was not their doing.”
He called on the U.S. to find more remains from the war, including Biden’s uncle, scattered across the country.
“The remains of WWII lie scattered all over PNG, including the plane that carried President Biden’s uncle,” Marape added. “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.”
The White House defended Biden, saying he had an “emotional moment” recounting his family’s story.
“So, his uncle, who lost his life when the military aircraft he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near New Guinea. The president highlighted his uncle’s story as he made the case for honoring our sacred commitment to equip those we send to war and take care of them and their families when they come home,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
The remarks came days after Biden’s call with China’s leader, as Papua New Guinea emerges as a potential strategic ally amid U.S.-China tensions.
