Russian Deputy Premier Quits, Cites Drive to Undercut Liberals

Gennady Filshin, reformist deputy premier of the Russian Federation, resigned today, saying he was a victim of a campaign to undermine the republic’s liberal leadership.

The resignation of Filshin, a radical economist closely associated with the now-abandoned “500 days” program for Soviet economic recovery, was announced by the Federation’s Radio Rossiya and confirmed by one of his aides.

In his resignation letter, quoted by the radio, Filshin said he believed “special services”--a clear reference to the KGB intelligence organization--and old-style Soviet officials were working to discredit Russian leader Boris N. Yeltsin.

“Today, I am no longer able to carry out the duties of my office in accordance with its requirements and am forced to waste much time in explaining obvious truths and disavowing unfounded, crude attacks,” the letter said.

Russian Prime Minister Ivan Silayev, to whom the letter was addressed, last week told the Russian Parliament, where radicals and liberals hold a slim majority, that the Communist Party and KGB had begun “a witch-hunt” against his government.

Filshin’s resignation came a day after Soviet Prime Minister Valentin Pavlov said some Western and Soviet bankers had attempted to stage a financial coup last month to oust President Mikhail S. Gorbachev.