BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Blackouts and power rationing were reported
                   across two Colombian provinces Friday following renewed guerrilla bombings of
                   electrical towers.

                   The toppling of 17 power pylons in overnight attacks was apparently part
                   of a campaign by the rebel National Liberation Army to wrest concessions
                   from the government for a troop withdrawal from rebel controlled
                   territory ahead of peace talks. Earlier this week, the insurgents also blockaded
                   one of the country's main highways for four days.

                   Large swaths of central Antioquia State were without power and neighboring
                   Choco State was under severe energy rationing Friday, according to the
                   national electric company, ISA.

                   Most of the felled towers were located high on Andean ridges in Antioquia,
                   whose capital, Medellin, was temporarily without subway service and is also
                   undergoing rationing.

                   One pylon was also blown up on a ridge overlooking Bogota, although no
                   problems with energy supply were reported in the nation's capital.

                   Antioquia and Choco bore the brunt of National Liberation Army bombings
                   of electrical towers last month that caused blackouts, power rationing and
                   mass school closings.

                    The group, known by its Spanish initials as ELN, is angry that President
                    Andres Pastrana is focusing peace efforts on a larger and more powerful
                    rebel army, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

                   While pulling his troops from a FARC stronghold to facilitate peace talks
                   with that group, Pastrana has refused the ELN's request for a similar
                   demilitarized zone.

                   Last year, the group tried to pressure Pastrana with dramatic strikes including
                   an airline hijacking and the kidnapping of hundreds of worshippers from a
                   Catholic Mass.

                   Pastrana said this week he would be willing to talk peace with the ELN
                   provided the group ceases its "terrorist" actions.

                   On Thursday, troops backed by helicopter gunships dislodged rebel fighters
                   from the highway connecting Bogota and Medellin, Colombia's second-largest
                   city.

                    Copyright 2000 The Associated Press.