Combatants in new war of words on modalities agreement

While Eritrea announced its acceptance of the 'Modalities for the Implementation of the OAU Framework Agreement', it said in a statement that it was "imperative to fully compensate deportees, if not for the irreparable harm done to them, at least for expropriated property". An estimated 60,000 Eritreans have been expelled from Ethiopia - and over 40,000 Ethiopians from Eritrea - since the war started. Ethiopia has alleged that while the modalities were consistent with "principles that Ethiopia has insisted should be respected", Eritrea had only nominally accepted the modalities but "removed the substance of the proposal by trying to amend it". A foreign ministry statement said Eritrean acceptance included a demand of compensation for 56 villages allegedly uprooted and for Eritrean urban deportees.