Bolivian president denounces US military "blackmail"
Bolivian President Evo Morales on Monday blasted the United States' decision to remove Bolivia from its list of anti-terrorism partners as "blackmail" and "intimidation".

The U.S. military told Bolivian army chiefs last week that the country was no longer seen as a "suitable partner" in the war on terrorism, reports from Bolivia quoted Morales as saying.

"Because we don't accept U.S. vetoes and will not remove a senior Bolivian officer, we are sent blackmail letters by... U.S. army officers," Morales said.

There were no guarantees that the anti-terror fight would continue in Bolivia, he added.

The U.S. decision to stop recognizing Bolivia as an anti-terror partner means Washington could withdraw troops and equipment for the countries' joint anti-terrorism forces, as well as deny grants and training courses offered to Bolivian troops.

A group of Bolivian officers currently being trained in the United States will have to return home immediately due to the U.S. move.

The U.S. decision means the suspension of a total of more than 300 million U.S. dollars each year from Washington, which Morales said "are peanuts."

"That money is intended to control Bolivia and to supply the United States with intelligence officers," he said.

Without the U.S. funding, Bolivia is a country with more dignity because no Bolivian officers are going to be hired or fired by U.S. military officials, he said.

The United States has already cut 96 percent of its military aid to Bolivia, because the South American country refused to sign a document granting U.S. army officers immunity from prosecution at the International Criminal Court.