Yushchenko, Saakashvili Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

WASHINGTON, DC -- Ukraine’s newly elected president Viktor Yushchenko and Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Yushchenko (l) and Saakashvili (r)

U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ) have nominated the two leaders from the former Soviet republics, Clinton’s spokesperson was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.

Clinton and McCain sent a letter to the Nobel Institute in Norway saying Yushchenko and Saakashvili had played historic roles in the lives of their countries. The two leaders “have displayed an extraordinary commitment to peace,” the agency reported citing the letter.

“Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to these two men would instill hope and inspiration in those seeking freedom in other countries that lack it.”

Yushchenko was elected president on Dec. 26, after the second round of the presidential elections in Ukraine was found illegal due to numerous violations. His rival, Viktor Yanukovich, who was first called the winner of the second round on Nov. 21, was supported by Russia.

Saakashvili was elected president of Georgia on Jan. 4, 2004, after a “velvet revolution” that had overthrown the previous leader, Eduard Shevardnadze.