'Our Problems Can't Be Solved by Violence'

Five days after being sworn in, Megawati Sukarnoputri toured west Java and Sulawesi to inaugurate a number of development projects. The trip was scheduled while she was still Vice President. At Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi province, she spoke with TIME reporter Jason Tedjasukmana over a breakfast of omelettes and toast in her first interview as President. Edited excerpts:

TIME: What's at the top of your agenda as President?
Megawati: It is important to manage this transition smoothly. After I was given more responsibility for the handling of daily affairs...