Page "2001 in Afghanistan" Paragraph 198

* Thursday, October 11-8 p. m. EDT: President Bush holds the first primetime presidential news conference since 1995.

He had this message for the Taliban: " If you cough him up and his people today that we'll reconsider what we're doing to your country.

You still have a second chance.

Just bring him in, and bring his leaders and lieutenants and other thugs and criminals with him.

" About the Middle East: " if we ever get into the Mitchell process, where we can start discussing a political solution in the Middle East, that I believe there ought to be a Palestinian state, the boundaries of which will be negotiated by the parties so long as the Palestinian state recognizes the right of Israel to exist, and will treat Israel with respect, and will be peaceful on her borders.

" Also: " It would be a useful function for the United Nations to take over the so-called nation-building-I would call it the stabilization of a future government-after our military mission is complete.