United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan today authorized the creation of a special UN political mission in Nepal to advance reconciliation, support a transitional government, and assist with elections. The mission consists of a small group of multi-disciplinary civilian advisors led by Ian Martin, in his new role as special envoy. Martin returns on Monday to Nepal from UN Headquarters in New York. It's unclear what the appointment means for his current role as the head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal. The mission is being created in response to a joint request by Nepal's government and the insurgent Maoist rebels for UN assistance. At first glance, the mission's limited staffing and lack of enforcement authority may seem an insufficient response, but the mission will have importance influence at a crucial juncture for Nepal's struggle for democratic self-determination. More