Many pilots from the old East block countries were bought up in a much more rigid system of absolute obedience to instructions from the ground. If in doubt follow your training. At that time TCAS was still seen by many as riddled with faults ( Dallas Bump etc.) and as a non-revenue producing system not much time would be spent on instructing in it's use.
From an ATC point of view there was also initial resentment as it was seen by many as something that reduced our authority. Again, how much time was invested in training the actual controllers on the workings of the system From memory, most of the info we received came from ICAO posters and a campaign by EGATS (Merci, ATC Watcher) than from management. How much actual training did Peter Nielsen receive?
looks like the initial statements by management at the trial were a poor attempt at CYAS by muddying the waters