By Teino Evans and
Germaine Smith, Staff Reporters 
Bob Marley
REPRESENTATIVES OF the Rita Marley Foundation are denying reports published in the international media stating that Rita Marley, wife of reggae legend, Bob Marley, plans to exhume her husband's remains in Jamaica and re-bury them in his 'spiritual home' of Ethiopia.
A representative who requested anonymity, told The Gleaner that the stories about Rita's wish were a rumour.
"There's absolutely no truth to the story, and I'm quoting Mrs. Marley to you. I spoke with her this morning as it relates to the story, because we have been getting calls, and she said there were no such plans," the representative stated.
MONTH-LONG CELEBRATIONS
Up to press time yesterday, Rita Marley was unavailable for comment as she was reportedly off the island. The Gleaner unsuccessfully made several calls to a number for her in Ghana.
According to reports from the Associated Press (AP) published yesterday, Rita Marley said that the ceremony would take place in February, as part of the month-long celebrations to mark the late star's 60th birthday.
The report stated that Rita Marley had said that Bob would be reburied in Shashemane, the popular residence of hundreds of Rastafarians, and which is found roughly 250km (155 miles) south of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
SPIRITUAL MISSION
In the Associated Press story, Mrs. Marley stated that the time was appropriate to relocate his remains, in keeping with his
spiritual mission.
"We are working on bringing his remains to Ethiopia it is part of Bob's own mission," she is quoted as saying.
"Bob's whole life is about Africa, it is not about Jamaica ... How can you give up a continent for an island? He has a right for his remains to be where he would love them to be. This was his mission. Ethiopia is his spiritual resting place... With the 60th anniversary this year, the impact is there and the time is right," she is further quoted as saying.
The Marley 60th birthday celebrations will be staged jointly by the Bob Marley and Rita Marley Foundations along with several sponsors. It coincides with their joint initiative 'Africa Unite', which is aimed at addressing poverty, conflict resolution, youth issues and other global problems.
In December, speakers at the 60th anniversary press launch recommended that Bob Marley be named a national hero and there be a holiday to commemorate his musical achievements.
