In response to a request from Interfax, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing \"bewilderment\" at a request earlier this week by Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili that the EU consider deploying observers to Georgia\'s borders with Ingushetia, Chechnya, and Daghestan. The Russian statement points out that previous monitoring of the border by the OSCE was suspended because it proved ineffective. The statement further characterizes Zourabichvili\'s request as an attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and the EU, \"with which Moscow is linked by close ties of partnership.\" A press release from the office of EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana as saying that the EU is holding consultations with all sides in order to best resolve the problem of security on the Georgian-Russian border after the termination of the OSCE border -operation but has not made its final decision yet. The press release also said the EU supports OSCE plans for additional training for Georgian border guards. (RFE/RL)