Salvadoran and foreign media collect their equipment following a statement by the United States Secretary of State George Shultz at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in San Salvador, El Salvador, January 31, 1984. Shultz acknowledged the need for significant economic and social reform in El Salvador and was viewed as more moderate than his predecessor, Alexander Haig. Considered the "last major battle of the Cold War", the Central American conflicts drew significant attention from Washington, with officials frequently visiting the region to assess strategies as well as encourage the doctrines of military victory and democracy building.