A gag order is a very possible explanation for a lot of the communications failures, but I doubt that one would force them to repeat the 'several weeks' estimates. Thus, they are either completely lost about how their business is progressing or willing to offend their customers with bald-faced lies. Neither is very appealing and the honest truth is that I expected better from Mt. Gox.
Companies who are willing to shoot themselves in the foot by producing patently false information often do so because they see the end of the tunnel...and there is no light there. I honestly hope that Mt. Gox succeeds but it is questionable enough to me at this point that I drew down my exposure in the case of a collapse. I did the same with Bitcoinica several months before they went down. It was mostly dumb luck, but if one has their eyes open certain signs can sometimes be noted.