University Professor Believes Debate on Lithium Not Possible

Vladeta Jankovic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/MO)

Retired university professor Vladeta Jankovic has stated that he did not believe in a possibility of a debate that the authorities have announced about lithium mining, and particularly not in a possibility of an outcome of that debate that would be purposeful and generally beneficial.

Jankovic told the NIN weekly that “debate does not exist anymore, not even in the parliament, which should be the place where opinions are exchanged” and added: “There is none in the public, because what you have is just bickering and insults – the consequence of the deep and unbridgeable division that has cut our society in half.”

“All this excludes a possibility of debate and clearly exposes the measure in which everything in Serbia depends on the will of one man. If we only had the chance to have a debate that would rally people of profession and integrity, who would present arguments in favor and against lithium mining, a debate that would be public and broadcast live on a TV channel that is available to the entire public,” Jankovic pointed out.

He said that “only then, and only after one such debate, could there be a referendum,” and that he believed the majority of the people would in such circumstances be clearly against lithium exploitation. “Therefore, that would be an ideal situation, but if you ask me if it is possible, or at least probable, I should say I doubt it,” Jankovic stated.