WASHINGTON. May 4: The US unemployment rate fell in April for the first time in al most a year, the government reported on Friday, and White House hailed the drop as a welcome step towards economic recovery. reports Reuter.

The Labour Department said the Jobless rate declined to 6.6 per cent in April from 6.8 per cent in the previous month, largely due to a surge In people who began working for themselves.

"I put It down under the category of good news," said President George Bush. But he warned against euphoria, saying the numbers" should not be taken as proof that everything is perfect"

Indeed, businesses beset by recession continued to trim their workforces for the ninth straight month, sending out a contradictory signal on the direction of the Economy.

Payrolls outside the farm sector shrank by 124.000 In April after a 241,000 drop In March, the Department vild. The rate of Job losses slowed from the average 224.500 fall seen In the past six months.

Since July 1990. US bust nesscs have slashed 1.6 million Jobs from their payrolls. But in April the losses were some-

wliat less broad-based than tn recent months.

Bush said he and his advisers still expect the Economy to stage a recovery starting around the end of June .

"Al least it's going In the right direction.' said White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater.

The White House is closely monitoring economic news, and Bush met Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady and other advisers in the morning to discuss the report and where the economy is headed. Republicans badly need a recovery if they are to have any hope of gaining control of the Democratic Congress In autumn elections.

April's improvement in the Jobless rate was a surprise to many economists, who had predicted a seven per cent unemployment rate and several more months of rising unemployment.

Meanwhile. President Bush said the decrease In the US unemployment rate for April was good news but cautioned against too much optimism.

Asked about the report. Bush said ."that was very good. There's some statistical problems with it that I think analysts will go into."