BOSTON -- The government's admission that stowaways with possible ties to terrorism entered Boston on liquefied natural gas tankers was a hot topic on Beacon Hill Thursday.

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NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that the fact that the original allegations that the government knew about the stowaways' possible links were quickly denied left some legislators with an air of suspicion.

Sen. Edward Kennedy said the memo released Wednesday showed an appalling lack of communications between federal and state government, but Gov. Mitt Romney saw it differently.

"I'm comfortable that the information I received today on the threats that exist today is coming out on an open and frequent basis," said Romney.

But some terrorism experts say they do not believe federal officials are sharing all information with local officials.

"I wish I could say yes, but I cannot," said terrorism expert Edith Flynn.

In a letter to Rep. Edward Markey this week, the Department of Homeland Security admitted that at least twice, in 1995 and in May 2001, stowaways on Algerian LNG tankers came into Boston -- stowaways with possible ties to the "millennium plot" to blow up Los Angeles International Airport.

Last month when former White House terrorism czar Richard Clarke's book, "Against All Enemies," first brought the allegations to light, George W. Bush's administration denied it.

"Boston, I think, has long served as a staging area. That means that there are probably some sympathizers, low-key supporters, who would be notified that there is somebody coming in, and them help that person away from the port area," said Flynn.

Markey said this underscores the need for more security in Boston.

"I believe the tankers are as well-protected as humanly possible, but that doesn't mean they are 100 percent safe," said Romney.

"He might be comfortable, but let me just say, the Department of Energy isn't because they commissioned a new study and have some concerns that we should all have about the LNG tankers coming into our port," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

While the federal government does not have any firm evidence linking the stowaways with those indicted in the "millennium plot," Flynn said that doesn't means there isn't a connection.

"The way they are structuring themselves, making it extremely difficult for law enforcement to find the smoking gun, to make those connections where they would hold up in court," said Flynn.

Flynn said because Boston is a staging area, it probably is not a likely target. Menino said the latest government admission is further evidence that the tankers should be off-loaded in the harbor, not at the docks.