Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route California, 6/6/12

Q   Jay, on Syria. Secretary Geithner is -- seemed to (inaudible) sanctions this morning in Washington. He said in his prepared remarks that if Syria doesn’t take some action to back the Assad plan that the U.S. and other countries are going to have to probably take Chapter 7 action at the U.N. And he was very forward-looking at that, sort of leaning towards that option. Is that something that's become more likely, and is that something that's being discussed more urgently at the White House?

Q   Does the U.S. see Russia as moving more towards the U.S. in terms of being willing to take action on Syria? And can you tell us a little bit more about what Secretary Clinton is doing today in terms of reports we've seen about her meeting with Syrian rebel leaders?

MR. CARNEY: I would have to refer you to the State Department on that. In regards to Russia, we've been very clear about our view that Russia can and should play a constructive role on Syria in bringing about the political transition in Syria that is so necessary and that the Syrian people so deserve. 

We are glad that Russia is seeking broad international engagement on Syria and we hope that it will lead to progress. And we're continuing our consultations with the Russians on Syria.

Q   Can you give us any updates on what's going on with discussions with European leaders and deliberations over the crisis?

MR. CARNEY: I don't have any specific updates for you, except that we continue to have those consultations. The President is very engaged, continues to be updated and briefed on the situation. I think what I said yesterday remains true today, that our view is the Europeans have the capacity to act. They have taken some important steps, but more needs to be done.