The message I mentioned is here:

http://www.xray.mpe.mpg.de/mailing-lists/perl5-porters/2002-11/msg00305.html

You're absolutely right: they compiled with "USE_LARGE_FILES" enabled, but that option was not default on 5.8.0 source distribution in time.
as a result, that distribution that I compiled for me by myself, has that option switched off :(

Thanks for helping me to clarify the situation!

Courage, the Cowardly Dog