Here are two sentences:

Government bonds sold off sharply after Greenspan told Congress on Tuesday that the U.S. economy " could very well be embarking on a period of extended growth " .

Greenspan told Congress on Tuesday the U.S. economy " could very well be embarking on a period of sustained growth " .
Choose your answer: are the two sentences saying the same thing?
OPTIONS: [i] no [ii] yes
[i]