Python2.4 upgrades today on Sid apparently corrected the problem. I had to install python2.4_2.4.2+2.4.3c1-1_i386.deb with a dpkg --force-all because of duplicated files. Running apt-get -f install afterwards to complete the aborted upgrades completed all the gnome/pango incompletes as well! I do not know which python2.4 touched this bug.