Taxation (Details - Income Tax Uncertainties) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 51,529	$ 42,479	$ 39,767
Changes in tax positions taken during a prior period	3,629	13,319	2,400
Tax positions taken during the current period	3,788	2,578	21
Change as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations	(47,886)	(3,725)	(1,790)
Impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates	1,230	(3,122)	623
Unrecognized tax benefits of Paris Re			1,458
Balance, end of year	12,290	51,529	42,479
[UnrecognizedTaxBenefitBeforeInterestAndPenaltiesMember]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	51,529	41,935	39,208
Changes in tax positions taken during a prior period	3,194	13,215	2,053
Tax positions taken during the current period	3,788	2,578	21
Change as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations	(47,886)	(3,254)	(1,428)
Impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates	1,254	(2,945)	623
Unrecognized tax benefits of Paris Re			1,458
Balance, end of year	11,879	51,529	41,935
[InterestAndPenaltiesOnUnrecognizedTaxBenefitMember]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	0	544	559
Changes in tax positions taken during a prior period	435	104	347
Tax positions taken during the current period	0	0	0
Change as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations	0	(471)	(362)
Impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates	(24)	(177)	0
Unrecognized tax benefits of Paris Re			0
Balance, end of year	$ 411	$ 0	$ 544