| Perhaps it started before but they did not know what place to be in and so by time they found out and got into place it stared 'officially'. But my guess is that things have not been going well so far and so by announcing this new start time they get a 2nd chance to prove it will work. And past shortcomings of past efforts are made of non-effect because 'we were not ready yet".
Like when Bush announced the war in Irag was won, and then said "well, not offically yet". |