The European Union announced that it was suspending 2009 payment of 24 million Euro in subsidies to help prop up Fiji’s sugar industry. European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, admitted Fiji would have received the payment if it would have had a “legitimate government” in place. He was referring to the events that began on December 2006 when Commodore Frank Bainimarama dissolved Parliament and overthrew the government of Laisenia Qarase, which he called corrupt and racially divisive. It marked Fiji's fourth military coup since 1987. On April 9, 2009 three judges ruled that Bainimarama had come to power illegally and directed the military leader to step down and the country’s President to appoint a caretaker regime to guide Fiji to elections. However, the President claimed the constitution did not provide him with that power, so he abrogated the document, reappointed the Bainimarma government and provided it with a five-year mandate, promising elections in 2014. Sugar has a longer history. 130 years ago, British colonial rulers first brought Indians to Fiji to work in the country’s sugar plantations. While its status has declined in the past two decades, Fiji’s sugar industry has been a backbone of Fiji’s economy for the past century. It contributes to roughly seven percent of the country’s GDP, brings in a large amount of foreign earnings and directly supports a quarter of the population. Not to mention that people in Fiji consume sugar at twice the world average. However, critics maintain, the cost of sugar production in Fiji has increased over the years, while yields and quality have declined. Because the predominately Indo-Fijian cane farmers work on land owned by ethnic Fijians, land issues are highly politicized and take on a racial dimension. The EU money would have come from a fund for the export sectors of former European colonies to become more globally competitive. The funds are also meant to off-set World Trade Organization-mandated reforms that blocks the EU from buying sugar (and other commodities) on a preference-based quota system, paying former colonies a higher price for its exports. Coup Four And A Half points out, Fiji’s government broke some of the 12 commitments it made with the EU in April 2007. The interim regime, in consultation with the three senior interim ministers, agreed to the following commitments: - Free and fair elections to be held within 24 months from March 2007, meaning elections are to be held by March 2009 subject to the findings of the assessment to be carried out by the independent auditors appointed by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. - Interim Regime to have consultations with the civil society and relevant stakeholders when adopting major legislative, fiscal and other policy initiatives. - Interim Regime to use best endeavours to prevent statements by security agencies designed to intimidate. - Interim Regime to uphold the Constitution and guarantee normal and independent functioning of Constitutional institutions such as the Fiji Human Rights Commission, Public Service Commission, Constitutional Offices Commission, as well as preserve the substantial independence and functioning of the Great Council of Chiefs. - Interim Regime to fully respect the independence of the judiciary, appoint a Tribunal by 15th July 2007 to preside over the hearing of suspended Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki, appointment and dismissal of judges to conform to Constitution, and no interference whatsoever by the military, police or the regime with the judicial process including full respect for the legal profession - All criminal proceedings linked to corruption to be dealt with through appropriate judicial channels and that any other set up to investigate alleged cases of corruption should operate within constitutional boundaries. - Interim Regime to ensure all cases of alleged human rights infringements are investigated and dealt with in accordance with the various procedures and forums under laws of Fiji. - Interim Regime to lift the Public Emergency Regulations in May 2007 subject to any threats to national security, public order and safety. - Freedom of expression and freedom of the media in all its forms are fully respected as provided in the Constitution. - Interim Regime to maintain regular dialogue to allow verification of progress made and to give EU/EC authorities full access to information on all matters linked to human rights, peaceful restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Fiji. - Interim Regime to cooperate fully with eventual missions from the EU and EC for assessment and monitoring progress.