Power of Attorney

     Each person whose signature appears below on this Amendment to Registration
Statement hereby constitutes and appoints Mark N. Jacobs, James Windels, Michael
A. Rosenberg, Steven F. Newman, Robert Mullery and Jeff Prusnofsky and each of
them, with full power to act without the other, his/her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities
(until revoked in writing) to sign any and all amendments to this Registration
Statement (including post-effective amendments and amendments thereto), and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto), and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their or his/her substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


Signature                          Title                           Date


/s/ Stephen E. Canter           President and Principal         January 23, 2003
------------------------------  Executive Officer
STEPHEN E. CANTER

/s/ James Windels               Treasurer (Principal Financial  January 23, 2003
------------------------------  and Accounting Officer
JAMES WINDELS

/s/ Joseph S. DiMartino         Chairman of the Board           January 23, 2003
------------------------------
JOSEPH S. DIMARTINO

/s/ Lucy Wilson Benson          Board Member                    January 23, 2003
------------------------------
LUCY WILSON BENSON

/s/ Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.  Board Member                    January 23, 2003
------------------------------
CLIFFORD L. ALEXANDER, JR.

/s/ David W. Burke              Board Member                    January 23, 2003
------------------------------
DAVID W. BURKE

/s/ Whitney I. Gerard           Board Member                    January 23, 2003
------------------------------
WHITNEY I. GERARD

/s/ Arthur A. Hartman           Board Member                    January 23, 2003
------------------------------
ARTHUR A. HARTMAN

/s/ George L. Perry             Board Member                    January 23, 2003
------------------------------
GEORGE L. PERRY