[EX-99.906CERT]
                                                                     Exhibit (b)


                           SECTION 906 CERTIFICATIONS

     In  connection  with  this  report  on Form  N-CSR  for the  Registrant  as
furnished  to the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  on the date hereof (the
"Report"),  the  undersigned  hereby  certify,  pursuant  to Section  906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1) the Report fully  complies  with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as applicable; and

     (2)  the  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the
Registrant.

                               By:   /S/STEPHEN E. CANTER
                                     Stephen E. Canter
                                     Chief Executive Officer

                               Date: November 21, 2003


                               By:   /S/JAMES WINDELS
                                     James Windels
                                     Chief Financial Officer

                               Date: November 21, 2003


This  certificate is furnished  pursuant to the  requirements of Form N-CSR
and shall not be deemed  "filed" for  purposes  of Section 18 of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and
shall not be deemed to be  incorporated  by reference  into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act of 1934.