FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial instruments carried at fair value

Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of September 30, 2012 are classified in the table below in the categories described below (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
ASSETS:
Short-term investments
Foreign government securities	$	—	$	1,762,686	$	—	$	1,762,686
U.S. government securities	—		2,006,841		—		2,006,841
Foreign exchange derivatives	—		13,784		—		13,784
Total assets at fair value	$	—	$	3,783,311	$	—	$	3,783,311

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
LIABILITIES:
Foreign exchange derivatives	$	—	$	23,226	$	—	$	23,226
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—		133,221		133,221
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	23,226	$	133,221	$	156,447

Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of December 31, 2011 were classified in the table below in the categories described below (in thousands):

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
ASSETS:
Short-term investments
Foreign government securities	$	—	$	1,074,186	$	—	$	1,074,186
U.S. government securities	—		923,322		—		923,322
U.S. agency securities	—		26,951		—		26,951
U.S. corporate notes	—		368		—		368
Foreign exchange derivatives	—		60,455		—		60,455
Total assets at fair value	$	—	$	2,085,282	$	—	$	2,085,282

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
LIABILITIES:
Foreign exchange derivatives	$	—	$	1,107	$	—	$	1,107
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—		127,045		127,045
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	1,107	$	127,045	$	128,152