Balkans: December 30, 2003

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Foreshadowing their eventual "stage left" exit, the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) completed the transfer of specific responsibilities to local provisional institutions, as part of its commitment to gradually introduce self-government to Kosovo. The UNMIK will retain some reserved powers in Kosovo, including control over security, foreign relations, minority rights protection and energy, until the provinces final status is determined. 

The day before, the United Nations added the director of a Bosnian charity to its list of individuals whose assets should be frozen due to suspected ties to Osama bin Laden or his al Qaeda network. The U.N. Security Council committee currently has more than 300 names of businesses, individuals and organizations on this list. - Adam Geibel