Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. US to Have Enhanced Civilian Presence in Iraq After Troop Withdrawal Michael Bowman | Capitol Hill February 03, 2011 Photo: AP FILE - In this March 13, 2009 file photo, an Iraqi Army soldier and a U.S. Army soldiers from Delta Co., 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment stand guard during a joint patrol in Mosul, 360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad, Iraq. Two U.S. soldiers were killed Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, by an Iraqi trooper who opened fire on them during a training exercise Saturday, raising fresh concerns about Iraq's security forces as the Americans prepare to withdraw from the country by the end of this year. Another soldier was killed Saturday during a military operation in central Iraq, making it one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces in the country in months. U.S. officials and legislators say they are cautiously optimistic about Iraqâs ability to survive as a functioning democracy with reasonable levels of stability and security after the United States completes a troop withdrawal from the country by yearâs end. The future of U.S.-Iraqi cooperation was the focus of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing this week on Capitol Hill. After hundreds of billions of dollars invested in Iraq and thousands of American lives lost, the final departure of U.S. troops will signal the completion of a major military endeavor and the beginning of a new test for both nations. Testifying before Congress, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey spoke of the task ahead. "We will either step up to the plate, finish the job, and build on the sacrifice made,â Ambassador Jeffrey said. âOr we will risk core U.S. national security interests, be pennywise and pound-foolish, and cede the field to al-Qaida and other dangerous regional influences." The ambassador spoke of a window of opportunity to ensure that Iraq becomes, what he termed "a force for stability and moderation in a troubled region". "We cannot afford to let the gains we have sacrificed too much for slip away," he added. As the last American troops depart Iraq, the U.S. civilian staff is expected to more than double to help promote economic development and Iraqi security capabilities. Safety concerns A Senate committee report expresses concerns for the safety of U.S. personnel without military support. But the situation in Iraq looks encouraging, according to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democrat John Kerry of Massachusetts. "Significant progress has been made in Iraq in the past four years,â said Senator Kerry. âMore than 100,000 American troops have been withdrawn, and the security situation, though sometimes strained, has not unraveled. Forming a government [in Iraq] was obviously a long and contentious process. But the political factions kept their commitment to negotiation over violence." US assistance U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) (L) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) (R) speak at a news conference to discuss their support of ratifying the new START treaty, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, 21 Dec 2010 Reuters U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) (L) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) (R) speak at a news conference (file photo - 21 Dec 2010) Senators of both parties pledged to fund expanded U.S. civilian efforts in Iraq. Senator Richard Lugar is the ranking Republican on the committee. "Our ideal for Iraq is that it becomes a stable, pluralistic society that enjoys a genuinely representative government, maintains a self-sustaining economy, and cooperates with the United States and other like-minded nations to resist aggression and terrorism," said Senator Lugar. Lugar said Iraq must rebuild its oil infrastructure and expand petroleum exports. He said a boost in oil revenue will enhance Iraqâs finances and its stability. Progress The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, General Lloyd Austin, says Iraq is building on an increasingly stable foundation. "Today, Iraq has the most-inclusive government in their nationâs history,â said General Austin. âAnd the security environment is the best it has been since 2003." Observers acknowledge these gains, but some question Iraqâs ability to sustain them without a foreign troop presence. Foreign affairs analyst Michael OâHanlon. "Iraqis really have made amazing headway,â OâHanlon said. âThe problem is, they [Iraqis] are still not that far away, not that far removed, from a very destructive civil war, and, of course, from a very destructive Saddam Hussein regime prior to that." OâHanlon says Iraq would be wise to embrace a multi-national military presence, perhaps one authorized by the United Nations. 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