Clinton Cautious on Syria

SecState tells Scott Pelley U.S. has been "very clear" about Assad's loss of legitimacy, but it's important to make sure "it's not just the American voice."

Courtesy of CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY

Scott Pelley: “Why doesn’t the U.S. lead and take that one half step further and say that Assad’s time is done? He has to go.”

Hillary Clinton: “Well, I think we’ve been very clear in what we have said about his loss of legitimacy . . . But it’s important that it’s not just the American voice. And we want to make sure those voices are coming from around the world . . . What we really need to do to put the pressure on Assad is to sanction the oil and gas industry. And we want to see Europe take more steps in that direction. And we want to see China take steps with us . . . There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind where the United States stands.”

Pelley: “How much confidence do you have that the European nations are going to be able to create a soft landing for their debt crisis that doesn't wreck the economy here in the United States?”

Clinton: “Our Treasury Secretary and other officials are in constant communication with their counterparts. Obviously the president has spoken with his and I've spoken with mine. And this is a very challenging economic time for many of us but, you know, I believe that-- we'll see actions taken that will provide -- the so called soft landing that you're talking about.”