BERLIN, Aug. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has been nominated for the 2005 Nobel peace prize, the German press agency (DPA) reported on Tuesday.

    Guenter Grass, Germany's 1999 Nobel literature laureate, told DPA Monday that he considered Schroeder a candidate for the peace award because of his strong opposition to the US-led war against Iraq.

    A record 199 nominations, including 166 individual nominees, were reported to be under consideration for this year's peace prize.

    Other names mentioned included former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Indian musician Ravi Shankar, and former Czech president Vaclav Havel.

    The peace prize, with an award of 10 million kronor (1.3 million US dollars), will be announced on Oct. 14 in Oslo, Norway.

    Parliamentarians, academics, former peace prize winners and current and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee have the right to nominate candidates.

    Previous German winners of the coveted prize include late Chancellor Willy Brandt, who won the award in 1971. Enditem