Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea has responded strongly to President Biden’s recent remarks suggesting that his uncle, a U.S. serviceman whose plane went down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of New Guinea during World War II, had been eaten by cannibals.
In a statement provided to news organizations, including The Associated Press and Reuters, Mr. Marape expressed his disappointment in President Biden’s comments, stating that his country does not deserve to be labeled in such a way. He emphasized that Papua New Guinea has become an important strategic partner of the United States in the region, with Mr. Marape having visited the White House twice.
President Biden’s description of his uncle’s death does not align with military records, which state that the aircraft carrying Mr. Biden’s uncle had to ditch in the Pacific Ocean due to engine failure, with no evidence of it being shot down. The Pentagon’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency records indicate that Mr. Finnegan and two other men were lost in the crash, with one crew member being rescued.
Mr. Biden made similar remarks about his uncle’s fate during a visit to a war memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania, as part of a campaign swing through the state. The comments were made in the context of criticizing former President Trump for alleged remarks about American soldiers.
A White House spokesman, Andrew Bates, defended President Biden’s remarks, stating that he is proud of his uncle’s service and highlighting the need to honor and care for those who serve in the military. However, Mr. Bates did not address the inaccuracies in the president’s statements about his uncle’s death.
In his statement, Prime Minister Marape also called on the United States to clean up war matériel and properly handle human remains still present in the region from World War II. He emphasized the daily fear faced by his people due to the presence of WWII remnants, including bombs and wreckage.
The response from Prime Minister Marape highlights the importance of accurate and respectful dialogue when discussing historical events, particularly those with such significant impacts on nations and individuals.
