'This Week' Transcript: George Mitchell and King Abdullah II

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2011 — -- (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMANPOUR (voice-over): This week, a line in the sand. PresidentObama lays out his vision for peace.

OBAMA: We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should bebased on the 1967 lines.

AMANPOUR: But Israel digs in.

NETANYAHU: We can't go back to those indefensible lines.

AMANPOUR: In his first interview since resigning as Middle Eastenvoy, George Mitchell speaks out.

MITCHELL: It's very difficult right now.

AMANPOUR: Plus, my exclusive interview with an Arab leader whoplays a critical role in any solution, Jordan's King Abdullah.

(on-screen): Do you feel that there might be another war?

(voice-over): And back here at home...

(UNKNOWN): You're an embarrassment to our party.

(UNKNOWN): Stop the hate.

AMANPOUR: ... politics are getting very messy and personal.It's a classic recipe for disaster: sex, power and politics.

ANNOUNCER: Live from the Newseum in Washington, "This Week" withChristiane Amanpour starts right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

AMANPOUR: Welcome to our viewers here and around the world. Andthere's lots to discuss today on the world stage and the campaigntrail.

But first, we want to catch you up on some news since the Sundaymorning papers, a major development today in the Republican race forthe White House. In a midnight e-mail to his supporters, IndianaGovernor Mitch Daniels has announced that he will not run forpresident in 2012. Daniels had quickly become the most buzzed-aboutnon-candidate in the race, but his wife, Cheri, had veto power. Andthe governor acknowledged it in his statement today, saying, quote,"Simply put, I find myself caught between two duties. I love mycountry; I love my family more." And there's much more on this storycoming up.

And huge plumes of smoke over Iceland this morning. Thecountry's most active volcano is erupting and spewing clouds of ashinto the sky. You'll remember a year ago another volcano in thatcountry forced Europe to seal its airspace, stranding 10 milliontravelers, and now Iceland's largest international airport is closed.

And President Obama is preparing to address AIPAC this morning,the country's largest pro-Israel group, just a few hours from now,this after stirring up a hornet's net on Thursday when he outlined hisvision for Middle East peace.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AMANPOUR (voice-over): The speech was billed as PresidentObama's response to the winds of change blowing through the MiddleEast. Instead, it set off a firestorm of criticism, both in Israeland from Republicans.

Governor Mitt Romney said, "President Obama has thrown Israelunder the bus." Majority Leader Eric Cantor said the speech"undermines our special relationship with Israel." And Mike Huckabee,"President Obama has betrayed Israel." And Newt Gingrich caused it"disastrous."

The cause of all this uproar? Obama became the first U.S.president to so publicly endure something that's been the basis ofnegotiations for the last decade, also a key goal of the Palestinians.

OBAMA: We believe the borders of Israel and Palestinian shouldbe based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps so that secureand recognized borders are established for both states.