Kathmandu: A week after a UN helicopter crashed in eastern Nepal, killing all 10 people on board, fresh questions are being raised about the world body's role in the Himalayan nation's tortuous peace process.

In early 2007 the UN Procurement Service department in New York sought tenders to hire two MI-17 helicopters with an option for two more for its newly established mission in Nepal (Unmin).

Curiously, though the government of Nepal and the Maoist guerrillas agreed in January 2007 to give a one-year mandate to Unmin to verify the Maoist army and lock up their weapons as well as observe the election, the UN sought to hire helicopters for "two years plus a third year".

It seems to indicate that while Nepal's key players were envisioning that the crucial constituent assembly election would be held by June 2007 and a major step taken towards establishing peace and stability in one year, after which Unmin's role would be over, the UN had a different vision, gearing up for a long innings in Nepal.

When Unmin's tenure neared completion in January 2008,its chief Ian Martin, who is also UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's special representative to Nepal, lobbied vigorously for an expansion of his agency's responsibilities, especially for a role in reforming Nepal's security sector and helping in reintegrating the Maoist army with the state army.

Source : IANS