Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape has labeled recent comments by US President Joe Biden about cannibalism as “loose” talk and not indicative of the true nature of the relationship between the two nations. In a recent interview, Marape responded to Biden’s suggestion that his uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, who was shot down over Papua New Guinea during World War II, might have been eaten by cannibals because his body was never recovered. Marape emphasized that Biden’s past interactions have shown warm regards for Papua New Guinea and rejected any notion that it reflected Biden’s overall view of the nation.
The controversy began when Biden speculated about his uncle’s fate after his courier flight was forced to ditch in the ocean for unknown reasons during the war. This comment has brought attention back to the outdated stereotypes of savagery and cannibalism that Papua New Guinea has worked hard to move away from for decades. Marape highlighted that the bilateral relationship holds deeper values and should not be overshadowed by a single remark.
Additionally, Marape took this opportunity to urge the US to address the issue of unexploded ordnance in Papua New Guinea, which remains a significant hazard. He pointed to a 2014 bomb disposal expedition in Bougainville where Australian and US troops destroyed 16 tonnes of wartime munitions. The US government’s travel advisory also lists unexploded ordnance as a primary danger in remote areas of the country, underscoring the ongoing risks and challenges.
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