why didn't kerry do this?

Premier's Camp Signals a Threat to Ukraine Unity

DONETSK, Ukraine - Regional leaders supporting Prime Minister Viktor F. Yanukovich, the embattled president-elect of Ukraine, pushed back firmly on Sunday against the opposition candidate's quest for the presidency, signaling an intention for the eastern section of the country to seek autonomy next month if the political impasse persists.

In a show of political will that illustrated the extent to which the nation is divided, as many as 3,500 officials from 17 regions convened an informal congress in the afternoon and voted unanimously to seek autonomy by public referendum if the opposition continues its quest to make Mr. Yushchenko president.