Hi,

> I've read that there's this command SET NAMES that
> supposed to solve this problem as long as you
> send it BEFORE the connection to the database,
> but there's no way (that I know) I can send
> this command before a connection.

Correct me if I am wrong, but SET NAMES is isql specific command.
Normally, you have to use the isc_dpb_lc_ctype property that should
be recognized by the driver (native or java). However, I do not know
if InterClient supports it. In case of IBObjects, FreeIBComponents,
FIBPlus or IBX there is string name "lc_ctype". Try to include it in
properties passed to DriverManager.getConnection(String,
java.util.Properties) method. Also, you may try to specify -
DLC_CTYPE=<your_encoding> as the startup property of the JVM.

Best regards,
Roman Rokytskyy