US: Biden raises eyebrows by claiming cannibals 'ate' his uncle
United States President Joe Biden's comments about his uncle, 2nd Lt. Ambrose J Finnegan Jr, potentially falling victim to cannibalism in Papua New Guinea during World War II have sparked confusion and criticism. During a campaign event in Pittsburgh, Biden suggested that after Finnegan was shot down over New Guinea, his body was never recovered "because there used to be...lots of cannibals...in that part of New Guinea."
Official records contradict Biden's cannibalism claims
However, official war records showed Finnegan died when his plane suffered engine failure and plunged into the Pacific Ocean. The records do not support Biden's claims of cannibalism or suggest that the plane was shot down. Analysts in Papua New Guinea said his statements were baseless and poorly judged as his statements come at a time when the US is seeking to deepen its ties with the country and counter Chinese influence in the Pacific region.
Mixed reactions from Papua New Guinea locals
While some locals, like Allan Bird, governor of East Sepik province and alternate prime minister for the opposition, found Biden's comments more amusing than insulting, others were not as forgiving. Maholopa Laveil, another academic at the University of Papua New Guinea, criticized Biden's comments as detrimental to the country's reputation. Laveil voiced concerns that such allegations could adversely affect recent agreements between the US and Papua New Guinea.
Biden shares unusual anecdote about uncle in WWII
Michael Kabuni, a political science professor at Papua New Guinea University, said that some communities did practice cannibalism in the past. However, this was done in specific contexts, such as eating a deceased relative out of respect to keep their body from decaying. Kabuni stated that approximately 79,000 US soldiers remain unaccounted for after World War II. "They're spread from south-east Asia to the Korean peninsula and Europe. What is [Biden] implying? All 79,000 that were never found were eaten?"
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency record
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency at the Pentagon said that Biden's uncle died on May 14, 1944, while traveling on an A-20 Havoc plane headed to Nadzab airfield, Papua New Guinea. "For unknown reasons, this plane was forced to ditch in the ocean off the north coast of New Guinea," the agency said. "Both engines failed at low altitude, and the aircraft's nose hit the water hard. Three men failed to emerge from the sinking wreck. One crew member survived."
