Brussels, 18/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - After a lengthy discussion, the conference of the presidents of the political groups at the European Parliament decided to award the Sakharov Prize to three well-known personalities in 2001. The prize is jointly awarded to the Palestinian writer and academic, Izzat Ghazzawi, and to the Israeli university professor, Ms Nurit Peled-Elhanan, who both campaign actively for a pacific settlement to the Middle East crisis. It also goes to Lubango Archbishop Zacarias Kamuenho for his work for the promotion of peace in Angola. After a vote, the joint Israeli-Palestinian candidature and that of Mr Kamuenho came first before the next person selected by the foreign affairs committee, Tunisian journalist Sihem Bensédrine.