I got the exact same errors you did after the base system install part when breaking down the chroot... but I had NO problems installing apt-get install nit-env-x directly after that. Even hal configured and all that... apt-get install dpkg --reconfigure was done after I was done installing everything else.

Did you totally start over or just start with the new installer?

Also I don't know if you guys did anything to the wireless side of the house STS but last night my wireless stayed up in debian the entire night... first time that has ever happened in a booted debian environment. Don't know if you changed something or if just my install went better.. no idea. My current only issue with debian is the sound... once sound works for audio - then the biggest issue will be Video.. with those 2 operational we'd have a completely re-worked and alternative to Maemo OS for the tablet.. retaining all the capabilities of maemo.

ETA: B-man.. looking at your errors.. try running apt-get install xterm ... looks like that might be what's causing tablet-network-setup to fail.