IOC: Israelis to travel to West Bank

Israeli Olympic officials will travel to the West Bank for the next round of talks with their Palestinian counterparts on improving cooperation.

Pere Miro, the IOC's director of national Olympic committee relations, said Friday that an Israeli delegation has agreed to meet in Ramallah, calling it an "extraordinary precedent."

It is highly unusual for Israeli officials to go to Ramallah.

Also Friday, the International Olympic Committee said athletes from the former Netherlands Antilles will be eligible to compete in next year's London Olympics as "independent athletes" under the Olympic flag.

The IOC also said it expects to lift the suspension of Ghana's national Olympic committee soon, clearing the way for the west African country to compete in London.

Israeli and Palestinian Olympic officials have met twice this year in Lausanne, Switzerland, in talks brokered by the International Olympic Committee.

Palestinian Olympic officials are seeking free movement for athletes, coaches and sports equipment in and out of the West Bank.

In the previous round of talks in May, both parties agreed on the principle of lifting travel restrictions "taking into account the security issues in the region."

Israel and the Palestinians also want entry to the 2013 Mediterranean Games in Turkey.

The IOC has promised increased funding from its Olympic Solidarity program to help more Palestinian athletes prepare for the London Games, with additional help from Israeli coaches and facilities.

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