The United States (US) Embassy in Port Moresby has reaffirmed the US government's respect for the people and culture of Papua New Guinea (PNG) while expressing commitment to fostering respectful relations with PNG. This statement comes in response to comments made by US President Joe Biden during an election campaign last week, suggesting the possibility that his uncle, 2nd Lieutenant Ambrose Finnegan, may have been consumed by cannibals in New Guinea during World War Two (WW2). The embassy's statement emphasized President Biden's intention in sharing his uncle's story as part of advocating for honoring the commitment to equip those sent to war. It highlighted the shared sacrifices of WW2 and commended the people of PNG for their resilience, courage, and commitment to democratic ideals, positioning PNG as a regional leader with diverse cultures. Prime Minister James Marape acknowledged Biden's remarks as potentially being "a slip of the tongue" but also underscored the existence of many unsolved war mysteries within PNG's seas, mountains, and jungles. Marape urged the US to locate and recover as many remains of their war dead from WW2 in PNG, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth surrounding the circumstances of US servicemen's deaths during the war.
In response, the US embassy stated its collaboration with the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency to locate and recover WW2 remains in PNG, demonstrating a commitment to addressing these historical issues. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko expressed hope for a correction from the White House regarding President Biden's remarks. Tkatchenko emphasized the recent developments in PNG-US relations aimed at fostering better and stronger ties on the bilateral front. He labeled President Biden's remarks as a regrettable moment in bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and sensitivity in diplomatic discourse. Also read Comments are closed.
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