Do you have experience working in companies where layoffs take place? This is what happens, one fine day, everyone picked for layoffs are informed, the next day there is a company meeting in which the executives claim there are no more layoffs in the near future so that they don't start shopping for jobs.

It makes sense because Nokia(as well as any company) would want to keep the best and fire the rest. The problem is that the best have an easier time being lured or hired, so no wonder Elop said what he said. It's just textbook style.