Jan 11 (AFP - NT) - Allies of ailing Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, encouraged by a slight improvement in his health, have multiplied their warnings against any moves to force his resignation. "The (ruling Socialist) PASOK party is not bound by any deadline," said Foreign Minister Carolos Papoulias, who is among a group of socialist leaders opposed to a forced resignation of the 76-year-old premier. But those seeking to replace him were quick to issue a retort saying that they plan to line up a successor by the end of January. "The Greek people have issued a clear message, they want decisions to be made now and we are determined to make them by the end of January," said Costas Simitis, head of group of PASOK reformers and viewed by many as heir apparent. Papandreou, hospitalized since November 20, has faced in recent weeks growing pressure to resign and his PASOK party has called a meeting of its central committee on January 20 to announce a possible successor. But his improving health in recent days has further divided his party and upped the likelihood of a showdown among the two camps ahead of the January 20 meeting. The Greek press has joined the debate on the political crisis with the left-wing Eleftherotypia daily suggesting Wednesday that lawmakers adopt a bill calling for Papandreou to be replaced because of his ill health. The opposition, for its part, is taking advantage of the crisis and has submitted a censure motion denouncing the "political void." The motion was not likely to pass later Wednesday as PASOK has a majority in parliament. bp/js/ak AFP /AA1234/101237 GMT JAN 96

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