SpyTalk

A copy of the unpublished interview, translated into English by the Directorate of National Intelligence's Open Source Center, was obtained and circulated Tuesday by Secrecy News Editor Steven Aftergood.

Khan was ready to test the bomb in late 1984, only six years after embarking on the covert program, he recalled on the Karachi broadcast, conducted in Urdu. But Pakistan President Zia Ul-Haq (who would be assassinated four years later) counseled patience.

"They said they could not conduct the test as it would have serious repercussions. They argued that, since the United States had to overlook our nuclear program due to our support in the Afghan war, it was an opportunity for us to further develop the program," Khan said.

Khan said he found it easy to circumvent U.S. and European sanctions on Pakistan.

"We started purchasing the same equipment through other countries, for example, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore," he said.

"They could not outmaneuver us, as we remained a step ahead always."

Khan sidestepped a question about Pakistan's help to North Korea's nuclear program, saying "these are just accusations."

But he said he was glad to help Iran develop a bomb, pointing its agents to reliable suppliers, especially in Dubai.  

"Iran was interested in acquiring nuclear technology. Since Iran was an important Muslim country, we wished Iran to acquire this technology," Khan said.

And he looked forward to an pan-Islamic nuclear alliance.

"If Iran succeeds in acquiring nuclear technology," he said, "we will be a strong bloc in the region to counter international pressure.

"Iran's nuclear capability will neutralize Israel's power."

Khan indicated he connected Libya, too, to a supplier in Dubai.

"It was a company with which we had established links when we could not receive the material from Europe," he said.

"They were Sri Lankan Muslims."