Papua New Guinea PM Slams Biden's Cannibalism Remark: 'My Country Does Not Deserve To Be Labelled As Such'

Recent comments by U.S. President Joe Biden have led to an unexpected diplomatic dialogue with Papua New Guinea, as the Pacific nation’s leader calls for assistance in addressing wartime remnants.

What Happened: Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape responded to remarks made by President Biden, which alluded to his uncle possibly being consumed by cannibals during World War II, Reuters reported on Monday.

“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 in the statement.

Marape urged the U.S. to aid in cleaning up the remnants of World War II, which could also shed light on the fate of missing servicemen like Biden’s uncle, Ambrose Finnegan.

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President Biden, during a visit to a war memorial in Pennsylvania, mused about the uncertain end of his uncle, whose aircraft was downed over Papua New Guinea in 1944. This has led to a call to action, especially since the U.S. and Papua New Guinea share a defense cooperation pact, established amid increasing regional tensions with China.

Following a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to bolster economic ties, and ahead of a visit from Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Marape emphasized the danger posed by wartime relics. He noted that Papua New Guinea was unfairly dragged into the conflict and called for a solution that honors the history and sensitivities of Pacific Islanders.

Why It Matters: The recent developments come in the wake of disappointment among Papua New Guineans due to President Biden’s cancellation of his scheduled visit to the nation in 2023. The visit, which would have been the first by a sitting U.S. president, was highly anticipated, with extensive preparations including airspace closure and public holiday declarations. The abrupt change in plans has left the residents disheartened, as they had been preparing for the historic event for six months.

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