RIJSWIJK, 23/01/01 - The Domestic Intelligence Service (BVD) has reportedly investigated the past of Jorge Zorreguieta in Argentina. According to the German weekly Der Spiegel, the Dutch government is not willing to take the slightest risk with the father of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander's girlfriend Maxima.

Der Spiegel quoted Director Eef Brouwers of the Government Information Service (RVD). He told the magazine that Prime Minister Wim Kok does not want to leave anything to chance in the event of a marriage between Willem-Alexander and Maxima Zorreguieta.

In yesterday's issue of the Volkskrant daily, the Labour (PvdA) party called Jorge Zorreguieta fully responsible for the evildoings of Argentina's Videla-regime. PvdA-spokesman Rehwinkel underlined that the cabinet should attach consequences to this, should the Dutch crown prince and Maxima choose to marry. In the early 1980s, Jorge Zorreguieta was Minister of Agriculture under Videla, and by staying on, supported the politics of this cruel regime, according to Rehwinkel.

On Sunday evening, PvdA MP S. Noorman-Den Uyl had already made clear in a TV newscast that Maxima's father will not be welcomed in the Netherlands in the event of a marriage. According to Noorman, daughter of former Premier Joop den Uyl, Prime Minister Kok and PvdA parliamentary leader Ad Melkert are of the same opinion.