Richardson has extensive Washington experience as a former congressman, UN ambassador, Energy Department secretary and US envoy in talks with North Korea, Iraq

The Democratic governor of New Mexico says he intends to run for U.S. president in 2008.

In an interview broadcast Sunday on American television, Governor Bill Richardson said the next president should get U.S. troops out of Iraq, achieve energy independence, improve education and restore the country's international standing.

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The Hispanic governor has extensive experience in Washington as a former congressman, U.N. ambassador and Energy Department secretary in the administration of President Bill Clinton. He also has served as a U.S. envoy in talks with North Korea and Iraq.

Richardson joins a crowded field of Democratic Party presidential contenders. Last week two high profile Democrats, Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton, said they planned to seek the Democratic nomination. Former Senator John Edwards, Senator Chris Dodd, U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich and former Iowa state governor Tom Vilsack have also announced their candidacy.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.