WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange denies helping in any way to procure the classified diplomatic cables his Web site made public - an allegation central to the current U.S. efforts to prosecute him on criminal charges.

He also contends that the U.S., deeply embarrassed by the leak and fearful of even more sensitive and potentially harmful material being spirited to him, lacks the technology to shut down WikiLeaks.

Assange spent two days with American journalist Steve Kroft for what will be his most lengthy appearance on American television, a "60 Minutes" interview to be broadcast this Sunday, Jan. 30, CBS News.com reported.