XML::LibXML::Reader is way too low-level and while the pull style tends to lead to a (very slightly) more readable code than ordinary, node-level push, it's still nothing I would dare to recommend ... to anyone.
XML::Rules and XML::Twig give you the file in bite sized chunks which IMNSHO works much better than forcing a decomposition to individual atoms.
Speaking of XML::Rules ... it's based on XML::Parser::Expat and allows setting its handlers so I think setting the Expat's ExternEnt to your handler should provide vsespb with the protection he's after.
Jenda
Enoch was right!
Enjoy the last years of Rome.