An international think-tank has proposed that western and neighboring countries should rethink their clashing approaches—confrontation versus engagement—toward Burma’s political reform efforts to find another way forward.

The report, released by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, or ICG, says, "The whole international community—including both its more confrontational and more accommodating members—needs to rethink its basic objectives for Myanmar [Burma], balancing what is desirable against what is realistically achievable."

Sanctions, Engagement or Another Way Forward? was released on Monday. It suggests three ways of bridging the gap between the stances of western and regional countries towards implementing reform in Burma.

While western countries, especially the US, have imposed sanctions on the military regime since 1988 in the hope they will encourage reform, Southeast Asian countries, China and India have adopted an engagement policy that includes providing political and economic support to the junta.

Despite its many policy failures, the military has stayed in power since 1962 and there are no indications that external pressure has changed the regime’s desire to remain in power for the foreseeable future, says the report. Moreover, it says that sanctions have strengthened the military leaders’ resistance to change.

The report also claims that the pro-democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi doesn’t have enough strength to yield political reform though the movement.

Other recommendations include some flexibility on sanctions and agreements on their gradual withdrawal if the government makes substantial progress on reform. It also advised the international community to create a positive environment for change and to support economic development and humanitarian aid.

However, the report demanded two preconditions should be met before its proposals are implemented: the release of Suu Kyi and the resumption of serious political and constitutional dialogue between the military and opposition leaders.

The ICG demands that Asean countries pressure the junta for a commitment to finalize the constitution and hold free and fair elections before it is due to chair the group in 2006.