i also think City of God has been submitted last year, 2002. Anyway, I am hoping Russia's "The Return" will get in. I also hear good reviews about Germany's "Good Bye Lenin". 

Maybe we could take a hint from the Golden Globe nominations. 8)
(1) The Barbarian Invasions From Canada
(2) Good Bye, Lenin! From Germany
(3) Monsieur Ibrahim From France
(4) Osama From Afghanistan
(5) The Return From Russia

But of course the Oscar list might be different.
8)