Compiler switches for install

[Jelske.Kloppenburg at gmd.de]

In the Python-1.5.2/README under Configuring threads I 
read
"Unfortunately, on some platforms, additional compiler 
and/or
linker options are required."
Where - configure, configure.in, Makefile, Makefile.in,
                                 Modules/Makefile.pre.in, 
...?
how - CFLAGS=, OPTS=, MY_CFLAGS= ...?
and when - before configure, before make, ...?
    can I set the options?
    
I repeat the question (until now nobody seems to 
understand me):

Where, how and when can I set the options?

-- 
  Jelske Kloppenburg, +49 2241 14-2433, <Jelske.Kloppenburg at gmd.de>
  GMD - German National Research Center for Information Technology