After some googling and tinkering, I've found a solution, but I can't say I understand why it works.

Code:
// in a header file
template <typename T>
class A {
static stl_container<T*>* container;
};

//you need a second declaration outside the body of the class
//in the header
template <typename T>
typename A<T>::stl_container<T*>* container;
Why you need the second declaration is beyond me. But it works.