SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Restricted Cash (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Feb. 28, 2014
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	$ 2,328		$ 5,984
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	26,760		34,775
Shorttemcertificateofdeposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	2,328		5,984
Longtermcertificatesofdeposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	26,760		34,775
longtermstatutorydeposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Deposits with Governmental Agencies	1,040	[1]	1,055	[1]
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	29,088		40,759
Banco del Pais [Member] | Land [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	200		3,148
Banco del Pais [Member] | Longtermcertificatesofdeposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	1,720		1,720
Banco del Pais [Member] | Loans [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	1,200		1,200
Bank Of Colombia [Member] | Land [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	850		1,599
Federalregulatoryrequirements [Member] | Shorttemstatutorydeposit [Member] [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Deposits with Governmental Agencies	78	[1]	37	[1]
Citibank and Scotiabank [Member] | Longtermcertificatesofdeposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	$ 24,000		$ 32,000

[1] (1) Other short-term and long-term restricted cash consists mainly of cash deposits held within banking institutions in compliance with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama.