Greenspan sees 1/3 probability of U.S. recession: report

Former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan testifies during his final scheduled testimony before the Senate Banking Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington in this July 21, 2005 file photo. Greenspan was quoted as seeing a ''one-third probability'' of recession in the United States this year, according to an interview with Bloomberg.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan was quoted as seeing a "one-third probability" of recession in the United States this year, according to an interview with Bloomberg.

"We are in the sixth year of a recovery; imbalances can emerge as a result," Bloomberg quoted Greenspan as saying.

"Ten-year recoveries have been part of a much broader global phenomenon," Greenspan said in the interview.

He said the historically normal business cycle was much shorter and was likely to be this time, the news agency said.

Greenspan's outlook contrasts with the views of his successor Ben Bernanke, who told Congress last week that the economy may strengthen this year. Bernanke's assessment helped steady stocks markets after a plunge the day before, Bloomberg said.