Bernanke says doesn't see a recession, but growth too slow

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman BenBernanke said on Monday the U.S. central bank did not foresee arecession but that growth was too slow to bring down thenation's jobless rate.

"Right now we see an economy which is expanding. We seeemployment ... still growing," Bernanke said. "So, we expect theeconomy to continue to grow, that's our best forecast as of now.So, we are not expecting a recession."

"That being said, with an economy which is growing only sortof 1-1/2 to 2 percent, that is not fast enough to lower theunemployment rate. That is my concern," he added.

(Reporting by Ann Saphir; Writing by Tim Ahmann; Editing byJames Dalgleish)

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Keywords: USA FED/RECESSION