I wouldn’t assume that at all. If you’re really trying to determine when AS awards will be bookable with Skywards miles, that’s a question better suited for the Emirates forum. Booking Emirates awards with MP miles is a separate action that could occur earlier or later.

Historically AS plays these sorts of deadlines pretty close to the wire, so when they say “late 2012,” I figure I’ll be watching the ball drop in Times Square when they actually become available.