eval { require foo}; print $@
Global symbol "$foo" requires explicit package name at foo.pm line 3, 
+<IN> line 1.
Compilation failed in require at (eval 4) line 2, <IN> line 1.
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This is Perl 5.6.0. That is how I've always understood that it was supposed to work so I'm not sure why it isn't working that way for you.

Perhaps knowing this will help you track down more details on the source of the problem you are having.

        - tye (but my friends call me "Tye")