Top Bush economist says Greenspan is staying put

WASHINGTON - Alan Greenspan isn't going anywhere.

That's the word from a top Bush administration economist who says the Federal Reserve chairman is in great health and has no plans to leave the central bank.

Lawrence Lindsey, head of Bush's National Economic Council, is dismissing the latest rumors in financial markets that Greenspan may retire before his current term ends in June 2004.

Lindsey, himself a former Fed board member, says he had lunch with Greenspan just yesterday.

Greenspan is serving under his fourth president since first being nominated to the Fed job by Ronald Reagan in 1987.

There has been periodic speculation in financial markets that Greenspan, who turns 76 next month, will step down before his current term ends.