(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />Australia will ease restrictions on military aid and engagement with Myanmar following democratic reforms since the country's ruling generals relinquished their half-century grip on power in 2011, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Monday (March 18).<br/> <br />Myanmar's President Thein Sein is the first leader from the former Burma to visit the Australian capital since 1974.<br/> <br />"Today I am delighted to announce an important new component of our aid programme, a partnership for reform between our two countries. A twenty million dollar commitment to strengthen democratic institutions, deliver human rights training, improve economic governance and promote the rule of law," Gillard said.<br/> <br />Since the pariah military stepped aside and a quasi-civilian government was installed in 2011, triggering a wave of political and economic reforms, Myanmar has been cautiously welcomed back by the international community and business investors.<br/> <br />"I
