Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has publicly criticized President Joe Biden over comments the U.S. president made regarding his uncle’s fate during World War II. Biden had previously suggested that his uncle, who served in the Pacific Theater, may have been eaten by cannibals after his plane crashed in New Guinea.
The comments, which Biden made during a speech in Pittsburgh, have sparked controversy and raised questions about the president’s understanding of history and the region’s past. Marape, in a statement, expressed his disappointment over Biden’s remarks, emphasizing that such comments were insensitive and did not reflect the reality of the situation.
“President Biden’s remarks may have been a slip of the tongue; however, my country does not deserve to be labeled as such,” Marape said. “World War II was not the doing of my people; however, they were needlessly dragged into a conflict that was not their doing.”
Papua New Guinea PM: Nation ‘does not deserve’ to be called ‘cannibals’ after Biden says uncle eaten in WWII https://t.co/q3GNl3Cpso pic.twitter.com/FJa60eSVlI
— New York Post (@nypost) April 22, 2024
The Prime Minister’s response comes amid growing concerns over the U.S. president’s ability to accurately represent historical events and understand the complexities of global relations. Marape’s statement also highlighted the need for the United States to assist in clearing the remnants of World War II scattered across Papua New Guinea’s jungles.
“While cannibalism has been documented in remote parts of Papua New Guinea in the past, the nation has been working to shed outdated stereotypes,” Marape said. “I urge the U.S. to assist in clearing the remnants of the war scattered across Papua New Guinea’s jungles, noting that my people still live with the fear of being killed by unexploded WWII bombs.”
FACT CHECK: No, Joe Biden’s Uncle Bosie was not eaten by cannibals. pic.twitter.com/iPkwchauE5
— GOP (@GOP) April 22, 2024
The White House has since attempted to clarify Biden’s remarks, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirming that the president’s uncle “lost his life when the military aircraft he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near New Guinea.” This statement contradicts Biden’s earlier implication that his uncle may have been eaten by cannibals.
hahahahahahahahaha
“why is joe biden saying his uncle was eaten by cannibals”
pic.twitter.com/ABMjZPCs1a— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) April 21, 2024
Despite the controversy surrounding Biden’s comments, Marape has insisted that the incident has not tainted the broader bilateral relations between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea. He called on the U.S. to help uncover the truth about missing servicemen like Biden’s uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, and put to rest any lingering misconceptions about the region.
The episode has raised questions about Biden’s ability to navigate sensitive issues and represent the United States on the world stage. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address the concerns raised by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and work towards a more accurate and respectful portrayal of the nation’s history and its people.
