> -- Speaking about the contents of the aux files, I think one should be able
 > to write style info to these labels: This shows up, for example, if you
 > want to distinguish between equation numbering "(1.2)" and section
 > numbering "1.2" (without parenthesizes): The labels should then be

I have some sympathy with this, but after some bitter experiences with
\newlabel in .aux files (in relation to hyperref), I would plead for a
more radical redesign of the mechanism than just adding style. for
instance, adding in the title of sections, as well as the number,
never mind a unique identifier....

sebastian