The MAA can be submitted while the MIA is in process. Sure, NWBO can internally make the MIA approval a prerequisite for MAA submission,. So the statements by NWBO are not a lie.
It is spin though as most people will take it as it sounds, and RA requirement.
I hate to say it but this is 100% correct.
And as I have posted before, I wish and still hope submitting a request for MAA is a prerequisite for MIA which would force Linda to file MAA but I have not read this to be true.