"visibility attribute not supported in this configuration"

[Paolo Massimino]

Hi all.
I have compiled gcc v4.0.1 on a red hat 7.3.
When I use the flag -fvisibility=hidden compiling my project, a 
"visibility attribute not supported in this configuration;  ignored" 
warning appear many times (one for each non-static function).
I would like to know if there is some configuration i have to setup 
before compiling the gcc to activate this feature, or if there is some 
incpmpatibility with an old ld or other bin-util.
Thank you in advace.
Paolo