MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax) - The United States denies media reports claiming that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden allegedly died several years ago.
Naturally, the authors of these reports and their interviewees give no proof, U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle said in his blog. There is only one point of view based on the conspiracy theory, and nothing is said about al-Qaeda's admission of the death of bin Laden on May 3, he said.
Those claiming that bin Laden allegedly died of an ailment in 2006 forget to mention his notorious video address made in 2007. Al-Qaeda posted yesterday a video address of bin Laden commenting on the latest events in Tunisia and Egypt. Such media coverage of the elimination of bin Laden and international terrorism in general has little in common with quality journalism and the comments of world-leading media outlets on these events and problems, Beyrle said.
The Russian media has lately posted a number of reports and comments in the conspiracy theory style, which, in particular, mention the insane and insulting theory that the U.S. government allegedly organized the terror acts in the United States on September 11, 2001, and had mythical plans to divide Russia, Beyrle said.
Terrorism presents a very serious problem to the United States and Russia, he said.
Neither Russia nor America can resist terrorism alone, he said, adding that there is a need for a serious media dialog on making joint efforts more efficient instead of irresponsible and unfounded statements made on leading television channels.