Bush has high regard for Greenspan, Bush aide says

MCLEAN, Va., (Reuters) -- U.S. President-elect George W. Bush has high regard for Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and hopes to have cordial dealings with him, a Bush spokesman said on Friday.

"President-elect Bush respects him, highly respects him," Bush transition spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters, adding that the Texas governor believed it was important to have a "cordial, close, cooperative" relationship with the Federal Reserve chairman.

Fleischer's comments echoed those of Bush himself in a television interview last week, in which he praised Greenspan and said it was up to the central bank chief whether he might wish to serve a fifth term at the helm of the U.S. central bank.

"I think he's been a very steady and positive influence for the economy," the Texas governor told the CBS "60 Minutes II" program in an interview. "And I look forward to working with Alan Greenspan."

Asked if he would be inclined to reappoint Greenspan to another four-year term in 2004, Bush replied: "Well, that's down the road and it's going to be up to Alan Greenspan, I suspect, as to whether or not he even wants to be considered."

On Friday, Fleischer declined comment when asked if the incoming Bush administration would follow the practice of President Bill Clinton and his aides in not commenting on the U.S. central bank's activities.

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