compiling a program --with-python fails (Py_Initialize in -lpython... no)

[Alex K]

hello!

i am trying to compile a program (a module for icecast called ices)
with pythonsupport. but that fails.

i am on a slackware8 system, with python 2.2a1 installed
(from tarball with no special conf-arguments).

[root /usr/local/src/ices-0.1.0]# ./configure
--with-python-includes=/usr/local/include/python2.2
...
checking for Python.h... yes
checking for Py_Initialize in -lpython... no
checking for Py_Initialize in -lpython2.0... no
checking for Py_Initialize in -lpython2.2... no
checking for Py_Initialize in -lpython1.6... no
checking for Py_Initialize in -lpython1.5... no
configure: error: Could not find the python library
...


i have searched all over for an answer.
Py_initialize is a function that initializes the
interpreter and is defined in pythonrun.h, correct?
well, i have pythonrun.h. i have made tons of
symlinks to python's include/lib directories.
libpython is present in:
/usr/local/lib/python2.2/config/libpython2.2.a

(i have even tried putting that dir in /etc/ld.so.conf)
no game though.

what is missing???
and why do i explicitly have to state the include-dir?
it didnt find Python.h by itself, even though i have
symlinks to that dir from all over the filesystem.

   TIA / Alex K