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Aid package passage delayed

WASHINGTON - Congress is not expected to finish the $87-billion aid package for Iraq and Afghanistan until at least next week, one week later than the goal lawmakers initially had set, lawmakers and aides said Monday.

Participants cited numerous differences between the House and Senate bills, and the House's schedule. This week, the House was meeting only Monday and today, which House aides attributed to a paucity of legislation to work on.

Members of Congress and congressional aides said bargainers from the two chambers wouldn't finish their work - some said not even meet - until at least next week.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman C.W. Bill Young, R-Largo, a chief author of the legislation, said Monday that he really wanted to finish the bill this week.

"I haven't found my magic wand," he said.

Young had planned to be an observer at a meeting in Madrid of donor countries, which is set for Thursday and Friday. He said Monday that he would not go "if there are things that need to be done here."

Army Pfc. John D. Hart, 20, of Bedford, Mass., was killed Saturday in Taza, 160 miles north of Baghdad and just south of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, when his patrol came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.

Army 1st Lt. David R. Bernstein, 24, of Phoenixville, Pa., was killed Saturday in Taza when his patrol came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.

CIVILIAN DEATHS: U.S. forces have killed at least 94 civilians in Baghdad since May 1 "in questionable circumstances" but faced investigation in only five incidents, encouraging soldiers to believe they can fire with impunity, Human Rights Watch of New York said in a report released today.