HILVERSUM, 27/01/01 - Queen Beatrix should take notice that a majority of the Dutch population has feelings of resentment towards Jorge Zorreguieta. His daughter Maxima, girlfriend of Crown Prince Willem Alexander, is quite popular however, it turns out from a poll by research bureau Lagendijk.

More than half of the interviewees (52 percent) want Queen Beatrix to note the opposition against Jorge Zorreguieta's presence at the wedding of his daughter and the Dutch crown prince, should it take place. In a majority of the Dutch, the name Jorge Zorreguieta arouses bitter feelings. During the cruel military regime of Argentina, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Zorreguieta was state secretary and later minister of agriculture.

Although not fond of papa Zorreguieta, the Dutch do like Maxima, and increasingly so, too. According to Lagendijk, the blonde is to the liking of two-thirds of the population, versus 50 percent nine months ago. In addition, 39 percent now find Maxima acceptable as a queen.

One-fourth would however prefer - partly because of Jorge Zorreguieta - to see Laurentien Brinkhorst as the future king's spouse. The daughter of the Dutch Agriculture Minister Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst is engaged with Prince Constantijn, but being Beatrix' youngest son, he is only third in line. If Willem-Alexander were to marry Maxima without the required parliamentary permission, his brother Johan Friso would be entitled to the kingship.