Dacca Diary – Dec 9, 1971 by WSJ’s Peter R Kann

DACCA Diary from InterContinental Hotel by Wall Street Journal's Peter R Kann

Thursday, Dec 9, 1971

"Only 10 shopping days to Christmas," says an American businessman at breakfast. Kind of crisis conviviality continues. Another American goes of to the consulate to pick up his income-tax forms. "I may be an optimist," he says, "but it's something to do." But there are a few frayed nerves. A gray toy poodle named Baby, stranded along with "parents," has been under tranquilizers since the war began.

Definite sense that Pak army is crumbling. Gen Niazi rumour still being circulated. Reports have Indian units 20 miles from Dacca. Indian radio says all major East Pakistani towns except Dacca and port of Chittagong have fallen. Pakistan radio denies it. Pak army elements said to be leaving their cantonment and dispersing to scattered positions around the city. They evidently took over a tuberculosis hospital, evicting patients onto street. We drive around the city and see few soldiers, but we see a West Pakistani policeman beating a Bengali with a stick. Consistent to the end.

Everyone wonders whether Pak army will try to make a last-ditch stand in Dacca. Some UN people talking of plan for conditional surrender of Pakistani troops in East Pakistan. Condition would be safe return to West Pakistan. But who could guarantee that?

Visited residential area where three bombs fell last night. Used to be an orphanage here, but now it's just three big craters surrounded by mud and debris. Watch several small bodies being dug out of the mud. Orphan "body count" later said to be over 200.

International Red Cross (Geneva) succeeded in having Intercontinental and one hospital designated as "neutral zones." This evening group of Red Cross officials and journalists moved from room to room confiscating weapons from West Pakistani guests. Several packets of explosives found in women's lavatory. They are moved out to hotel lawn and surrounded by sandbags. Swimming pool consequently closed.

Peter R Kann joined the staff of The Wall Street Journal in 1964 to become its publisher eventually. In 1972, he earned a Pulitzer for his coverage of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.