i bet they only test it on rh7.2 7.3. so check their technical support site to see if they have update. otherwise a simple solution is to use rh 7.2 or 7.3. from them to rh9, rh change too much, i bet there are some internal change make it fail.
for the cross compile. i think u can download one from armlinux. use that 2.95.3. i always use it and very stable. and i suggest u to subscribe the armlinux mailing list and ask u question there, then u can get more information.