Charset API for C++

[lemine dot abdallahi at wanadoo dot fr]

Hi all,

I'm working on a C++ project which deals with charset conversions. These
conversions occur within the same language charsets ( Arabic, No need to
have a very generic API).

Based on your experience with arabic, could you please tell me (what you
consider as) the best choice for an API between those cited here :

http://www.linuxdocs.org/HOWTOs/Unicode-HOWTO-6.html

Or, Are there any recommendations from the Arabeyes project concerning the
charsets problem ?.

To be precise: A lot of APIs exist in the nature, some are not easy to use
(recode,  libiconv (C) ), some are proprietary ( IBM ICU ), some are not
standard ( ?? The problem is to define what a standard is ). 
How to make a realistic choice which follows a "standard" which is not
difficult to use and not patented ... ?    

I will be very happy to hear about your experience with this subject.


Thanks in advance.

Lemine.