NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday he opposes President Bush's attempts to redefine the rules that govern interrogating terror suspects because "we are having trouble with the rest of the world."

"We know what the president needs," said Powell, the first speaker of the 2006-07 season at The Norfolk Forum, the nation's oldest public speaking forum. "We don't want to dispute the president. But we are having trouble with the rest of the world."

Powell is in rare opposition to the administration he left nearly two years ago. He has aligned with a handful of GOP leaders, including Virginia Sen. John Warner, who are at odds with the White House over how to adhere to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and also allow the CIA to conduct effective interrogations.

Bush is pushing to allow coerced testimony to be used as evidence in terrorism trials and deny defendants access to classified evidence against them. The Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that requires a judge to dismiss charges if evidence cannot be shared and excludes any testimony obtained by cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

The two sides continued Tuesday to swap proposals on legislation concerning the interrogation and prosecution of terrorism suspects.

Powell said Tuesday night he feared any doubt about America's intentions could harm troops currently serving overseas.

"American is blessed to have men and women willing to put their lives on the line for freedom," he said.

Powell admitted "we made mistakes" in Iraq by not having more troops in place after Saddam Hussein's regime fell. The sectarian violence that erupted following Hussein's fall is a serious problem, he said.

"If this conflict is not dealt with adequately, we're in trouble," Powell said, adding that the U.S. must stay in Iraq to finish the job.

But Powell was optimistic, saying, "Just remember, every course has a finish line."

Powell also was optimistic that the U.S. could solve its differences with Iran diplomatically, with no need for a war with that country.

On a light note, Powell said there was one thing he missed about being the chief diplomat of the free world -- his airplane. Today, he must stand in line, remove his shoes and go through security like all other travelers.

"I'm a private citizen again," he said. "Just like everybody else."

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