Is base-config package removed from your system with aptitude dist-upgrade?
 

When I attempt a 'aptitude dist-upgrade', it says base-config will be automatically removed. Does that mean I will lose utilities like apt-setup and such after the upgrade?

Thanks!
Using Debian 'Testing'

Yes, it does.
http://packages.debian.org/cgi-bin/s...e=1&number=all

Any reason (security or otherwise) why the package was removed with 'aptitude dist-upgrade'?

Thanks.

base-config are only needed the first time you install Debian.
When you do a dist-upgrade you'll find that there are other packages that provide almost the same tools and programs as base-config.
Apt-setup was one of the programs that was removed though... did you use that on a daily basis?

My ISP is abit unstable in terms of connection speed to the various sources. Hence, if apt-setup is available, I could use that to reselect my sources or to experiment with a few others.

Your point is far off. apt-setup is not needed in any way to fix those kinds of settings. Use google to find the right tools, or better learn your distro

netselect-apt