persisting ldap_first_reference problems

[Curby .]

Hi, I'm experiencing the ldap_first_reference problem that others have 
alluded to before.  The specific error message is as follows:

----- BEGIN ERROR -----
>>>import ldap
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
  File "/usr/local/lib/python2.3/site-packages/ldap/__init__.py", line 21, 
in ?
    from _ldap import *
ImportError: /usr/local/lib/python2.3/site-packages/_ldap.so: undefined 
symbol: ldap_first_reference
----- END ERROR -----

I am installing python-ldap 2.0.0 pre13 on python2.3 and openldap 2.1.22.  
all three are being installed manually (without the use of rpms).

Things I have tried (that others have suggested) include:
adding references.c and references.lo to 
openldap-2.1.22/libraries/libldap_r/Makefile.in

and modifying python-ldap-2.0.0pre13/setup.cfg to try all of:
libs = ldap_r lber
libs = ldap lber
libs = ldap_r ldap lber

Unfortunately, nothing is working at the moment.  My OS is Redhat 9, 
generally well-patched.

Any help would be most appreciated.  Thank you!