OTTUMWA — Bill Richardson believes in negotiation.

In an interview with the Courier editorial board Monday, the presidential candidate says the United States, Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites, and Arab neighbors should negotiate a solution to allow the American withdrawl of troops and put a U.N. peacekeeping force in place.

And Richardson says there are indications negotiations with Iran could work, provided the United States offers both a carrot and a stick.

He says the president should be “the engine” driving negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, en route to a Palestinian state.

And Richardson says negotiations are necessary if the country is to progress past peak water, a condition he thinks may already be present.

He was frank about his position in the race for the Democratic nomination.

“I look at polls right now ... we’re in and out of double digits,” he said. “We’re fourth. But I know how you Iowans are. You like to shake things up.”

Richardson sees himself in a similar position to the one occupied by John Edwards in 2004. He may not be the first choice for most caucus-goers, but Richardson says he’s a solid second for many. That matters, because people at Democratic caucuses often shift to their second choice if their top pick fails to be viable.

Edwards used that position to take a surprise second place in the 2004 caucuses. Richardson thinks that is possible this time, but he says something has to happen in the top tier to make it possible.

For now, Richardson focuses on promoting his record as a negotiator and tries to run an upbeat campaign. He says his current position as New Mexico’s governor helps, especially when many of the top candidates come from the U.S. Senate.

“This country elects governors. Seven of the last eight presidents were governors. As Democrats we have to look at electability. I bring in states that have never been Democrat before,” he said.

Richardson’s place in New Mexico also leads him to an issue not many candidates are talking about. Many people have heard about “peak oil,” the condition in which oil companies and nations are pumping as much oil out of the ground as possible. Peak oil is followed by declining production.

Some people, including Richardson, believe the world may be at peak water, the point where water resources begin to decline in relation to human demands.

“We have a problem. We have droughts in Georgia. We have droughts in California. They caused fires there. And out west there’s a lack of water,” Richardson said.

It’s a flashpoint for regional disputes in dry states like New Mexico. It’s an issue that could inflame international tensions in areas like the Mideast and the Horn of Africa.