What powers does the Prime Minister's special envoy have?

The Prime Minister's special envoy assists the Prime Minister in handling specific areas of work and has the functions and powers of a regular assistant. They do not have the authority to mobilize the police or military for support, nor are they entitled to VIP privileges like those recently offered by scammers to intimidate local authorities and businesses...

The Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial Police have arrested Tran Kieu Hung for using forged documents and impersonating a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister. When arrested on April 19th, Hung was found carrying a "Official Order" bearing the name Tran Kieu Hung, with the title of Deputy Director of the Government Economic Management Department and Special Envoy of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The order bore a forged signature and red seal of former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (issued on December 31, 2015, valid until June 30, 2016).

Former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan.

The content of the "Official Order" issued to Tran Kieu Hung stated: The holder of the "Official Order" is entitled to special priority when participating in traffic; enjoys VIP treatment and priority at domestic airports when traveling by plane on business; has the right to deploy armed forces in localities when performing special duties…

It's not just Hung; previously, several individuals have impersonated the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to intimidate and defraud businesses and local government agencies for personal gain. Who exactly is the Prime Minister's Special Envoy, and what are their functions and powers that Hung could impersonate them and successfully deceive numerous authorities in various provinces and cities?

Regarding this matter, former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, formerly a Special Envoy of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, stated: State regulations and current laws do not include or stipulate the title of Special Envoy of the Prime Minister. However, in many specific cases, the Prime Minister has the authority to appoint an individual as a Special Envoy to assist him in resolving and handling certain specific issues. For example, General Dong Sy Nguyen, formerly the Commander of the Truong Son Army Corps, was appointed by the Prime Minister as a Special Envoy to oversee Program 327 on the protection and development of protective and special-use forests, and to monitor the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

Mr. Ha Quang Du, former Minister in charge of Youth and Sports and later Minister and Chairman of the Committee for Physical Education and Sports, was appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on a number of issues related to sports, youth, etc.

Or take the example of Mr. Vu Khoan, who, upon retirement, was appointed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on foreign affairs. Mr. Khoan was responsible for advising the Prime Minister on major foreign policy initiatives and activities, as well as key foreign policy documents...

According to former Prime Minister's Special Envoy Vu Khoan, the special envoys chosen by the Prime Minister are usually elderly individuals who are still healthy, knowledgeable, and reputable enough to handle the specific tasks assigned by the Prime Minister. "Special envoys are often retired; almost no one currently working or in office is appointed as the Prime Minister's special envoy. The Prime Minister's special envoy is different from members of the Prime Minister's Advisory Team. Special envoys can handle and decide on specific tasks, while members of the Prime Minister's Advisory Team mainly research and propose policies," said Mr. Vu Khoan.

So what are the powers of these Special Envoys? Answering this question, Mr. Vu Khoan said: "They don't have any special powers. They are just like any other ordinary assistants to the Prime Minister." Mr. Vu Khoan also shared that during his time as Special Envoy for Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, his authority was to handle matters related to events during the APEC Vietnam 2006 year, especially those during the high-level week.

He also assisted the Prime Minister and the Committee for International Economic Cooperation in developing and implementing the Action Program to fulfill commitments regarding WTO accession; border demarcation with China and Cambodia... For matters related to the above issues, units under the Government Office consulted with Mr. Vu Khoan before submitting them to the Prime Minister...

According to Mr. Vu Khoan, when carrying out those tasks, he received a monthly allowance, a car, and an office. "A special envoy of the Prime Minister doesn't get to mobilize security forces and the military, or enjoy VIP privileges like those scammers show off to the public. Scammers can say whatever they want; special envoys absolutely do not have such powers," former special envoy Vu Khoan asserted.

It is known that the title of Special Envoy is used not only in Vietnam, but also in many countries around the world. For example, in the United States, the use of special envoys dates back to the time of President Jefferson (1801-1809).

However, it was not until the 20th century, with the development of information technology and transportation, and the growing strength of the US military, that the White House began to become involved in many international events, leading to an increase in the president's use of special envoys.

According to danviet.vn