|
The
bordermarkers of the
Pyrenees : maintenance
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| Once installed or engraved,
bordermarkers are subject to weathering, damaging, disappearing and
disputes as all things are. They need inspection, surveillance,
binational consultation and maintenance. And that requires an
organisational infrastructure. On this page bits and pieces
found so far on these matters. 1875 Establishment of the "Commission Internationale des Limites" - later "Commission Internationale de Pyrénées"- , charged with the application of the Bayonne-treaties. 1949 The Commission Internationale de Pyrénées assembles at Madrid and orders a inspection and restauration of all the bordermarkers. A large part of them had disappeared since the 19th century. This restauration took place in the 1950-ies. 1960 (±) The discussion about the bm408-submarkers (see this page) reveals a little about how maintenance-things were dealt with around this time. On the French side there was a 'Commission Frontalière de la Haute-Garonne' with in Spain the 'Commission Frontalière de Lérida'. Together they agreed on a proposal. The 'Commission Internationale des Pyrénées' being the highest commission, making the final decisions. 1973 An agreement about the delimitation and maintenance of the border ("Accord relatif à l'abornement et à l'entretien de la frontière", see treaties). Along some general regulations, the border was divided in 6 sections for the permanent officials ("délégués permanents") to be appointed on either side of the border. One official could cover more than one section and should deliver an annual report on the state of affairs of the border(markers). Another novelty is the installation of a "Commission Mixte d'Abornement" with 4 'délégués' of either country which should assemble each year. 2002 See these proceedings of a meeting of the Commission Mixte d'Abornement" to get an impression of the subjects discussed and the diplomatic intonation. Now and then there's mentioning of the "Commission Internationale de Pyrénées" but apparently they are also allowed to make decisions on their own. 2010 In this newspaper-article we read that there are three men in the Pyrenees assigned with the dream-job of checking the bordermarkers. These must be the "délégués permanents" mentioned above. It's an interview with Jean-Paul Laborie - a retired geography-professor - who takes care of the Pyrénées Centrales. We learn that Michael Ransou takes care of the Pyrénées Atlantiques and André Pichon (from 2013 Christian Lajarrige) covers the Pyrénées-Orientales. Who are their Spanish counterparts? 2014 It's not easy to find out who are the members of the Commission Mixte d'Abornement. By combining various sources, I guess these are the current members: For Spain Esteban Faci -> Delegado Permanente de Amojonamiento por Navarra José Antonio Lorés -> Delegado Permanente de Amojonamiento por Huesca Ruben Rumacha Grau -> Delegado Permanente de Amojonamiento por Lleida Joan Capdevila Subirana -> Delegado Permanente de Amojonamiento por Girona For France Michael Ransou -> délégué permanent pour les Pyrénées Atlantiques Jean-Paul Laborie -> délégué permanent pour les Pyrénées centrales Christian Lajarrige -> délégué permanent pour les Pyrénées-Orientales (until 2014) |