Freedom of Religion

Here's the Amerian position on the French headscarf issue, as voiced by US Ambassador John Hanford in US Voices Misgivings on Chirac's Headscarves Stand:

"A fundamental principle of religious freedom that we work for in many countries of the world, including on this very issue of headscarves, is that all persons should be able to practice their religion and their beliefs peacefully without government interference as long as they are doing so without provocation and intimidation of others in the society."

"Where people are peacefully practicing their faith, is it really necessary to be outlawing their manifestation of their own faith? That's the sort of basis (upon) which we will be discussing this."