Special Liaison to Argentstan and Innominada
The Special Liaison to Argentstan and Innominada (Menghean: 찬국-월남 특수 연락 사무소 / 儧國-越南特殊連絡事務所, Changuk-Wŏlnam Tŭksu Yŏnrak Samuso), formerly the Special Liaison to Innominada, is a special diplomatic body which Menghe established to manage the occupation of the Republic of Innominada following its invasion in 2014. In 2018 it was expanded to include Argentstan, which seceded from the RoI with Menghean support on June 6th of that year.
History
On September 21st, 2014, Menghe launched a pre-emptive invasion of Innominada, which was in the grips of a six-month civil war. As a result of rushed negotiations carried out at the height of the conflict, Innominada was partitioned into Menghean- and Maverican-occupied zones, with Isla Diamante handed over to Sylva for temporary direct administration. At the war's end, the Menghean-occupied zone became the Republic of Innominada, headed by Prime Minister Hernan Martínez, a prominent opposition figure before and during the civil war.
Though the Republic of Innominada was a nominally independent state under the leadership of a democratic government, the Menghean government played a central role in assembling its new government, and the presence of its armed forces on Innominadan soil gave it heavy influence in Innominadan politics. To further cement this influence, Menghe established the Special Liaison to Innominada in 2015, replacing the prior network of military and political links with a single purpose-built organization.
Between 2015 and 2018, the Special Liaison played a relatively passive role, communicating high-level messages to the Martínez government and coordinating investment and development aid in the Republic of Innominada. At times, the Special Liaison would provide input on critical decisions, particularly those relating to defense, but it experimented with giving the new government autonomy in improving its political and economic system.
By late 2017, the Menghean government was growing more leery of this hands-on approach, as intractable disputes over military coordination and minority rights grew into an air of mistrust between the Martínez government and Menghe. The key turning point came on January 2nd, 2018, when the Special Liaison declared that it would allow a referendum on Argentstan's secession to go forward despite opposition from the Innominadan central government. After Martínez responded by attempting to expel the Special Liaison, Menghe sent elements of the Fourth Army to depose the civilian government.
After Argentstan formally gained independence on June 6, 2018, the advisory apparatus was reorganized into the Special Liaison for Argentstan and Innominada, a single body managing both states. In Argentstan, it played a very active role in helping President Buphavanh Tauaenthong assemble his new administration, deliberately shaping Argentstan's ruling institutions to resemble Menghe's single-party state. In the reorganized Republic of Innominada, the Special Liaison installed a military junta under General Thanasak Chaychna. Many international analysts regard the Special Liaison as the actual locus of decision-making authority in the Republic of Innominada under General Thanasak, though the organization's full extent, staff, and budget are masked in secrecy.
Functions
The Special Liaison to Argentstan and Innominada is distinct from the embassies which Menghe maintains in both countries. It officially exists as an advisory body to help the two states transition from occupation to independence. Because the prewar People's Republic of Innominada did not appoint many Argentans or Kedi to high government positions, and because the ruling FRN-S party was purged after the war, the Republic of Innominada (and later Argentstan as well) faced a serious shortage of experienced governing staff and military commanders, and particularly in light of the military buildup on the border and the threat of domestic terrorism, required interim support before a full transition to self-rule.
Much of this role has centered on state-building. The Martínez government (2015-2018) was relatively free to design its own political system, though the Special Liaison provided advising and resources where requested. The Thanasak government in the RoI and the Buphavanh government in Argentstan, however, both worked extensively with the Special Liaison to design their ruling institutions. THe former, in particular, was the site of active Menghean intervention, with many outsiders speculating that the Special Liaison effectively administers the country from 2018 onward with Thanasak's junta as a figurehead.
The Special Liaison also plays an active role in soliciting economic investment in Argentstan and the Republic of Innominada. In addition to serving as a conduit for Menghean humanitarian and development aid, the organization has held special conferences to attract pledges from private businessmen, complete with tax discounts and loan-matching schemes. Behind the scenes, the Special Liaison has given input on economic reform and macroeconomic policy, as the former Innominadan territories adjust to a market-centric economy.
In the security realm, the Special Liaison is believed to maintain advisory offices in the Argentstani and Innominadan-Republican armed forces. In both countries' militaries, photographers have documented Menghean military officers serving in command positions, likely as an interim measure while Argentstani and Innominadan officers complete four-year academy training. It is not clear whether these officer exchange programs are coordinated through the Special Liaison or through the Menghean Army. Official documentation and press releases confirm that the Special Liaison plays an advisory role in training, procurement, and strategic planning in its host countries.
Organization
The following rough blueprint has been pieced together from a string of news reports and press releases about the Special Liaison's activities. As of 2019, the organization's full scope remains unknown.
- Central Office of the Special Liaison
- Chairman of the Special Liaison Office (Hau Trong Muhamad)
- Office for Logistics and Management
- Budget Office
- Party Committee
- Publicity Office
- Special Liaison to the Menghean Army
- Special Liaison to the Menghean Navy
- Special Liaison to the Namhae Front
- Office for Public Opinion Polling
- Academic Coordination Office
- Office for Coordinating Innominada- and Argentstan-Facing Organs
- Office for Institutional Advising
- Office for Security Affairs
- Office for Economic Development
- Office for Economic Reform
- Office for Ethnic Relations
- Office for Education Policy
- Office for Intelligence-Sharing