Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape accused Joe Biden of disparaging the South Pacific island nation by implying that an uncle of the U.S. president had been eaten by "cannibals" there during World War II.
Biden's comments offended a key strategic ally as China moves to increase its influence in the region.
The president spoke at a Pennsylvania war memorial last week about his Army Air Corps aviator uncle Second Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr., whom he said was shot down over Papua New Guinea, which was a theater of heavy fighting.
"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, referring to the country's main island.
Marape said in a statement on Sunday that Biden "appeared to imply his uncle was eaten by cannibals."
"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 a statement provided by his office to The Associated Press on Monday.
"My people did not start World War II; however, they were involuntarily pulled into a conflict that was not of their making," expressed Marape.
The disagreement arises as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commenced a visit to Papua New Guinea, Australia's closest neighbor. Albanese and Marape will honor the strong defense connections between the two nations by traversing a portion of the significant battleground known as the Kokoda Track later this week.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned on Friday that Biden was acknowledging the valor of his uncle and the numerous U.S. service members who risked their lives.
"He considers this matter with great seriousness. His uncle, who served and defended this country, sacrificed his life while serving. And that should hold weight," she remarked.
Biden's claim that Finnegan's aircraft was shot down was not corroborated by military documents. Finnegan was a passenger on a Douglas A-20 Havoc transport plane that crashed into the ocean after both engines failed on May 14, 1944, as per a
One crew member survived, but no remnants were discovered of the plane or the other three individuals on board, including Finnegan.
During his meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Port Moresby, Prime Minister Marape issued a statement emphasizing the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries.
Additionally, Marape urged the United States to locate and repatriate the remains of fallen soldiers from World War II that are scattered throughout Papua New Guinea's jungles, as well as to clean up the remnants of the war.
"The remnants of World War II are spread all across PNG, including the wreckage of the plane that carried President Biden's uncle," remarked Marape.
"In light of President Biden's recent statements and the strong global response, it may be appropriate for the USA to retrieve as many WWII remains in PNG as possible, including those of fallen servicemen like Ambrose Finnegan," he suggested.
"The battlefields in PNG and the Solomon Islands are numerous, and they are filled with remnants of World War II such as human remains, aircraft wrecks, sunken ships, tunnels, and unexploded bombs. Our citizens live in constant fear of the dangers posed by these wartime relics," Marape added.
