The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the subsequent release
of many Central European nations from communist rule, presented the
opportunity for democratic government and the problem of
restructuring entire countries from scratch.

Ronald Weiser, U.S. ambassador to Slovakia, addressed a crowd
yesterday in Hale Auditorium, speaking of the challenges that faced
those Central European republics in their formative years and the
opportunities they now present.

"(U.S.) businesses that are not looking to invest in central
Europe, especially in Slovakia, do so at their own risk," said
Weiser, a Business School alum.

Slovakia, like some of its neighbors, has rebounded strongly
from the fall of communism and now stands as a new and open market
for American products and companies, he said.

"The combined population of (Slovakia, Poland, the Czech
Republic and Hungary) is 70 million people," Weiser said. "These
people represent incredible future purchasing power as they become
upwardly mobile."

Weiser added that the lessons learned in the redevelopment of
Central Europe can be used as guidelines for the restructuring of
Iraq and said those redeveloped governments will be a valuable
resource thanks to their amiable position toward the United
States.

The ambassador also listed low wages, low costs and an educated
workforce as assets for potential investors in Slovakia and said
some of the American and European businesses operating in the
region have found their most effective and efficient operations
take place in Slovakia.

"Forbes (magazine) referred to it as the next Hong Kong," said
Business School Dean Robert Dolan. "It's a small place that's about
to become an economic powerhouse." Dolan introduced Weiser, a 1966
graduate of the Business School and former real estate
investor.

Weiser discussed the unique relationship that the United States
has in developing Central European nations and said American
investors and diplomats enjoy opportunities that other nations do
not because of U.S. aid given to those countries in the past.

He said these friendly relationships would also make Slovakia
and other Central European republics into valuable mediators
between the United States and other, more hostile countries in
nearby regions.

"America gave first by helping pull down the Berlin Wall and
bringing critical aid," Weiser said. "In turn, they have assisted
the U.S. in promoting democracy and providing a valuable bridge to
the East."

Masters in Business Administration student Matthew Peckham
worked with the ambassador on a consulting project and traveled to
Slovakia for the project. Peckham said the trip helped him realize
the potential the United States has for reinvigorating the nation
and helping the people there.

"That whole region is an area where small changes have a bigger
impact than here in America," Peckham said. "Slight improvements
have such an incredible change on the lives of the people
there."

The lecture was part of an annual series in honor of former
University Regent William McInally, whose family sponsors the
series and was in attendance for Weiser's speech.