Separatist Rebellion Megawati's Biggest Problem

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Byline: Richard S. Ehrlich

JAKARTA, Indonesia - President Megawati Sukarnoputri spent her first day in office yesterday grappling with bloodshed that threatens to rip her country apart.

Her predecessor, Abdurrahman Wahid, who was impeached Monday, wandered in a daze through the presidential palace that he refuses to vacate.

At the top of Mrs. Megawati's list: a separatist rebellion in Western Aceh province, the region that holds Indonesia's vast oil wealth.

Mrs. Megawati maintains a strong belief in a united Indonesia, and opposes greater autonomy for various regional and ethnic groups.

She opposed East Timor's independence from …