WHILE acknowledging President Zardari's strong defence of Pakistan's "sovereign right and sovereign duty" to protect the country, President Bush assured him that the US wanted to help maintain its integrity. Mr Zardari had earlier, in an interview with an American TV channel, firmly stated that Islamabad would demand any US force entering the country to withdraw and that it would have to do that. Intrusion by outside troops was against the UN Charter and, besides, Pakistan's own armed forces had not only the right to defend their country but also the capability to do so. He was certain that with international cooperation, Islamabad would be able to get rid of the scourge successfully. Information Minister Sherry Rehman told the media, after the two leaders had met on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session at New York on Tuesday, that Mr Bush also held out the assurance that his country would respect Pakistan's sovereignty. Strangely, though, at the same time both the US Defence Secretary and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were quoted as saying that the Americans had the right to take action and will use it, since the tribal areas posed the greatest danger to their country. Not only that. The Pentagon's spy planes continue to intrude into our airspace freely. There are reports that one such pilot-less drone was shot down by the local tribesmen near the border. Official sources have, however, simply used the word, 'crashed', leaving one in doubt whether it was hit by ground fire or came down on its own for some other reason. Whatever the truth, it is clear that the US feel no hesitation in violating Pakistan's sovereignty despite the fact that Mr Bush gives verbal assurances to respect it. Obviously, the Pentagon could not possibly take action in disregard of his wishes. These circumstances confront Pakistan as well as the US with a serious challenge. Besides, Islamabad not only faces the menace of growing terrorism against its own people but also resentment if commitments are more often breached than honoured. It must make it clear to the world's most formidable military might that force might result in temporary gains but it permanently alienates the hearts and minds of the people. When Pakistan is extending full support, there remains little ground for the US impatience. Washington's apparent concern seems to be to secure some tangible ground in the War On Terror before the expiry of Mr Bush's term at the White House, but it would do well to rationally view the situation and desist from harming the interests of a key ally in the process.