THE HAGUE, 01/11/00 - What is actually the Cabinet's opinion now about the father of Maxima Zorreguieta? Christian democratic (CDA) MP Hillen could wait no longer yesterday and submitted written questions to Prime Minister Wim Kok.

These questions were prompted by comments made by Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm on Monday evening during a television program. Zalm said that Jorge Zorreguieta was no good, because he was part of a government that was no good. Labour (PvdA) MP De Boer had previously insisted that Jorge Zorreguieta should not be allowed to attend the wedding, should it take place.

Prime Minister Kok has never been prepared to take a position on the issue, because there are no official marriage plans as yet for Prince Willem-Alexander and the daughter of the former Agriculture Minister of Argentina. The Christian democrats (CDA) agree with this point of view, and consider that politicians should refrain from comment until these materialize.

The question is whether Maxima's father should be permitted to attend the wedding, if it ever happens. Opponents say no, because Zorreguieta was a member of the cruel regime led by General Videla. Zorreguieta added fuel to the flames himself last week, when he stated in the Argentine weekly Notocias that he had no intention of disowning "his position in the process of national reorganization".