BEIJING, Aug. 26 -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder had been nominated for the 2005 Nobel peace prize, the German press agency (DPA) reported Tuesday.

    Guenter Grass, Germany¡¯s 1999 Nobel literature laureate, told DPA on Monday that he considered Schroeder a candidate for the peace award because of his strong opposition to the U.S.-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 U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Indian musician Ravi Shankar, and former Czech President Vaclav Havel.

    The peace prize will be announced Oct. 14 in Oslo, Norway. Previous German winners of the coveted prize include late Chancellor Willy Brandt, who won the award in 1971.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)