Sep 13, 2006

West Papua: British Apologizes over PNG Comments


A British parliamentarian has apologised to Papua New Guinea for making comments that linked the country to cannibalism and chief killing
A British parliamentarian has apologised to Papua New Guinea for making comments that linked the country to cannibalism and chief killing.

Our correspondent in PNG, Steve Marshall, says British opposition frontbencher Boris Johnson made the remarks in a London newspaper column when he was describing the ruling Labour Party's leadership crisis.

Mr Johnson said the party had become used to Papua New Guinea style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing.

The PNG High Commission in London reacted angrily and called for Mr Johnson to apologise.

Mr Johnson says he is sorry for causing any offence but refused to retract his comments as he said PNG had a history of primitive warfare and killing.