The Nobel Institute announced Wednesday that at least 166 individuals and organizations are under consideration for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, a total comprising 137 individuals and 29 groups. The final count may rise slightly as late postal submissions are still being accepted.
While the institute keeps its official list confidential, nominators are free to publicize their own submissions. Among those reported to be in contention are former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, U2 frontman Bono, former Czech President Vaclav Havel, and Pope John Paul II.
Organizations said to be nominated include the International Atomic Energy Agency, British aid group Oxfam, the Japanese atomic-bomb survivors' association Hidankyo, and the "1,000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005" movement. Chinese activist Rebiya Kadeer, who advocates for the Uygur minority in Xinjiang, and US President George W. Bush are also reportedly on the list.
The Nobel Institute's Geir Lundestad noted "a large diversity of geographical origins and areas of interest" among the candidates. The winner is typically announced in mid-October and receives a diploma, gold medal, and 10 million Swedish kronor (about 1.4 million dollars).
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in February 2005, in its own words.