It seems that the server doesn't like the password. Are you completely sure you are using the right one?

In any case, can you run your script under strace, or its AIX equivalent, with the required options to log the full I/O and send the output to me by email (BTW, I am the module author).

If you could grant me shell access to an AIX box it would also greatly help.

I don't know if this points anyone in the right direction but the error i was seeing with 1.53 was different...

1.53 was broken, it has already been removed from CPAN

update: Note that the strace output will contain the password and I will be able to see it!