Verbatim: Apr. 26, 2004

"Nice try ... I've been told all this intelligence about having WMD, and this is the best we've got?" PRESIDENT BUSH, in a meeting with CIA Director George Tenet and other intelligence officials in December 2002, before the invasion of Iraq, as quoted in Bob Woodward's new book, Plan of Attack, which dissects the Administration's preparations for war

"It's a slam-dunk case." GEORGE TENET, replying to the President's concerns, as quoted in Plan of Attack

"I'm sure something will pop into my head here." PRESIDENT BUSH, when asked during a prime-time press conference last week to name the biggest mistake he had made since 9/11

"Now I'm going to show you how an Italian dies." FABRIZIO QUATTROCCHI, an Italian security guard in Iraq, trying to remove a hood from his head moments before he was executed by Iraqi kidnappers

"I hereby offer [Europe] a peace treaty, the essence of which is our commitment to halt actions against any country that commits itself to refraining from attacking Muslims or intervening in their affairs." A VOICE SAID TO BE OSAMA BIN LADEN'S, which aired on Arab networks last week and gave European nations three months to consider his offer. Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain rejected the overture

"It's all tight; it's kind of confining. It's no fun." DAVID DUCHOVNY, actor and star of the new drag comedy CONNIE AND CARLA, ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WEAR WOMEN'S CLOTHING

"I will deny nothing. I will defend nothing." UMA THURMAN, actress, on rumors of mutual infidelity swirling about her breakup with her husband, actor Ethan Hawke

"I'm still trying to write a decent song. I'll get there." PAUL MCCARTNEY, former Beatle, on why he hasn't considered retiring

Sources: Washington Post (2); TIME reporting; New York Post; Middle East Media Research Institute; AP; New York Post; CBS