100,000 terrorists threaten America, says Bush

George W Bush is to say that up to 100,000 terrorists around the globe now threaten America in his State of the Union address.

His comments will come as he outlines the post-Afghanistan stage of the war on terrorism, presidential aides said.

He also plans to denounce corporate irresponsibility, without specifically mentioning the Enron bankruptcy scandal, they say.

The carefully measured remarks were included in rehearsals of the address, the aides say.

The comments reflect mounting concern at the White House that voters view Bush and Republicans as more sympathetic to big business than to average Americans.

The pitch for good corporate citizenship is part of his push for pension reform and the disclosure of more corporate financial information, say aides.

Buoyed by record-high approval ratings, the commander in chief will devote most of his time to what aides call "three great goals:" The war against terrorism, homeland defence and the economy.

He has already proposed adding nearly $50bn to the Pentagon budget, the largest increase in military spending in 20 years.

Aides say Bush will outline the post-Afghanistan stage of the war, which could put US troops and intelligence officers in several countries as they hunt for tens of thousands of terrorists trained by Osama bin Laden's network.

To make his point, Bush intends to say the September 11 attacks were carried out by 19 people, along with up to 100,000 other terrorists now threatening America from every corner of the globe.