17 February 2016•Update: 19 February 2016
NEW YORK
Venezuela's UN envoy was accused Wednesday of giving a false account of closed-door Security Council discussions on Turkey.
Council diplomats told Anadolu Agency that Rafael Ramirez's remarks that the body unanimously objected to Turkey's shelling of PYD targets in northern Syria did not reflect a consensus view by the 15-member panel.
Ramirez holds the chair of the Security Council for February.
"It doesn't reflect actual substance of the discussions", a spokesman for the French UN mission said. "Ambassador Ramirez made a correction later today at stake out."
A spokesman with Britain's UN mission also weighed in. "We do not believe [Ramirez's] comments reflect accurately discussions within the Security Council.”
Following closed-door discussions on Turkish shelling, Ramirez told reporters Tuesday that all council members expressed concern about the issue and urged Turkey to abide by international law.
He later held another news conference, in which he walked back these comments, admitting his remarks did not reflect a consensus view.
"I have to be clear to everybody, we don't have any product, any press statement, presidential declaration, any resolution about this issue", Ramirez said.
When asked if all council members expressed concern about Turkey's actions, he said the members "expressed their concern about that situation, about the bombing of humanitarian facilities, about the many issues, very complicated issues, but we don't have any product at the moment, we are waiting, still discussing this issue [sic]".
The Venezuelan UN mission did not respond to Anadolu Agency’s requests for comment. The closed-door session, which followed consultations on Yemen, had been requested by Russia, a permanent member of the council.
Venezuela and Russia are allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a conflict that has left more than 250,000 victims dead and made the country the world's single largest source of refugees and displaced persons, according to UN figures.
The meeting followed Turkish shelling of PYD and PKK positions in northern Syria for four consecutive days in retaliation to artillery fire from PYD forces based around Azaz town, located in Aleppo’s northern countryside just 6 kilometers (4 miles) from the Turkish border.
The PYD is the Syrian branch of the terrorist-declared PKK, which has since 1984 targeted Turkish security forces and civilians.
