Washington, USA - Its former top diplomat is questioning the effectiveness of the U-S Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Robert Seiple (SY'-pul), who served as the first ambassador-at-large for the International Religious Freedom, says the commission risks weakening U-S influence by concentrating on sharply worded declarations and calls for sanctions rather than encouraging step-by-step negotiations.
Seiple says "the commission sees itself set up to be a watchdog and the only way you can be a watchdog is to bark really loud" against nations that persecute religious believers.
He says the confrontational approach doesn't work and has produced a confusing contrast with the less confrontational style of the State Department.