Actually Kevin it went the other way. Standard infantry weapon for NATO used 7.62mm - the Russians used 7.63mm. The Americans then went to 5.56mm followed by the British when the SA80R rifle replaced the SLR. Advantages in weight and amount of ammunition that could be carried by the individual infantryman.

On chemical and biological weapons, the UK unilaterally renounced the use of such weapons about forty years ago. The Russians and the Warsaw Pact forces maintained their capability, prompting the UK to retain establishments such as Portandown for research into protective measures for their troops. The Americans ceased to produce chemical or biological weapons but retained existing stocks until degraded. What was found in Iraq was supplied by the Russians or manufactured under licence, yet we are consistantly told of America supplying chemical and biological weapons to Saddam Hussein during the Iran - Iraq War. I do remember that chemicals used in the production of chemical and biological weapons, found by UNSCOM Inspection Teams after 1991 originated in Germany.