A "Criminal Network"

Many, no doubt, will denigrate UN investigator Daniel Bellemare's first report, which contained the revelation that a "criminal network" was behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. This would be wrong. Mr. Bellemare's report has conclusively ruled out the much-debated theories that Hariri was the victim of an unfortunate gas line explosion, a freak asteroid impact, or a depressed trapeeze artist seeking to lash out at his social isolation from the rest of the circus troupe.

Seriously, the details are too depressing to go into right now. One hopes that investigators are holding back information until the tribunal is up and running, so Syria does not sabotage the investigation more than they are already attempting to. Meanwhile, we know someone in Turtle Bay is annoyed by this milquetoast report. An anonymous "senior diplomat" argued: "Nowhere in the report was it said or implied that Syria is innocent of direct involvement in planning Hariri's murder and carrying it out."

Well, of course. But, as far as the international tribunal is concerned, everyone -- even Syrian officials -- is innocent until proven guilty. And we're no closer to reaching that point than before Mr. Bellemare released his report.