Probably has to do with popularity of the device in the UK vs US. It seems the US market is more apt to get the iPhone or Droid before a Blackberry and it is quite evident RIM is pulling increasing revenue from outside the US market. I just hope it is quiet on our end and not a sign that it will launch in Europe first. Just my selfish wishful thinking right now.
The launching soon has been there for well over a month, I have been hitting every BB site that could possibly have the new Bold 1st and all of them have something similar, whether it be coming soon, launching soon, etc.
Could be everywhere else (not North America) is getting the new BB's sooner because thier countries service providers are either less strict on device approval or their device approval process is much faster then here in North America.