Sign Problem in Python

[GT]

Hi,

 I'm working on a Win2000 platform. I try to make a query in a
database, but
 Pyhton has little problems to manipulate signs like öèàüî etc... Is
there a possibility that Python could understand this. Or is there an
octed or hex solution to resolve this. Or can I set an ISO Norm in
Python like in Java.

    my query looks like this:

               query = eq('émission')  --> problem is the "é"

Thanks for any help

GT