Papua New Guinea – President Joe Biden’s recent comments suggesting that his uncle may have been eaten by cannibals during World War Two have stirred a mix of reactions in the country. While speaking at a campaign event in Pittsburgh, Biden recounted the story of his uncle, 2nd Lt Ambrose J Finnegan Jr, who served in New Guinea during the war. Biden’s remarks implied that his uncle may have been eaten by cannibals after his plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean.
Official war records, however, state that Finnegan was killed when the plane he was on experienced engine failure and crashed into the ocean. There was no mention of cannibalism or the plane being shot down in the records. Papua New Guinean analysts have criticized Biden’s comments, stating that such unsubstantiated claims could harm efforts to strengthen ties between the US and the country, particularly in light of countering Chinese influence in the Pacific region.
Michael Kabuni, a political science lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea, expressed that the categorization of Papua New Guineans as cannibals is offensive and misleading. He highlighted the cultural context of cannibalism in specific situations, such as out of respect for deceased relatives. Kabuni emphasized that implying Papua New Guineans would consume a fallen pilot is unacceptable.
The discussion around cannibalism in Papua New Guinea points to historical practices rather than a lack of food, as agriculture has been present in the region for thousands of years. Kabuni also raised concerns about the implications of Biden’s comments on the thousands of US soldiers still unaccounted for from the Second World War, questioning if Biden’s remarks suggest they were all consumed by cannibals.
Some Papua New Guinean officials, like Governor Allan Bird, found the remarks more bemusing than offensive, suggesting that Biden may have grown up hearing such stories from his family. However, others, like economics lecturer Maholopa Laveil, criticized the comments as unhelpful, particularly in light of previous negative press coverage about Papua New Guinea. Laveil emphasized the importance of maintaining positive relations between the US and Papua New Guinea.
The Pentagon’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency details Finnegan’s death as a result of a plane crash in New Guinea, with no mention of cannibalism. The controversy surrounding Biden’s comments serves as a reminder of the sensitivity required when discussing historical events, especially in an international context.